Senegal title defence threatened by ‘revival’ chasing Cote d’Ivoire in 2023 AFCON round of 16

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At the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023, defending champions Senegal are set to face the host nation, Côte d’Ivoire, on Monday, January 29, at the Charles Konan Bani Stadium in Yamoussoukro.

The highly anticipated encounter promises to be a tough battle, with both teams eyeing success in the knockout stage of the tournament.

Senegal’s hopes of defending their AFCON crown from the 2021 edition will come under threat from the ‘revival’ chasing Cote d’Ivoire, who will have their fans behind them as they look for a turnaround after a poor group stage run.

Senegal enters the match unbeaten, having secured qualification from the group stage with impressive performances.

Coach Aliou Cisse expressed satisfaction with the team’s current form and emphasized the importance of remaining focused. Senegal’s defender, Moussa Nyakhate, highlighted the team’s commitment to a strong defensive and attacking strategy and acknowledged the quality of the Côte d’Ivoire national team.

On the other side, Côte d’Ivoire aims to rectify its performance in the group stage, where they progressed with just three points as one of the best third-placed teams. Coach Faye Emers assured that the team is well-prepared and confident, emphasizing the motivation of the players. Midfielder Jean-Michael Seri emphasized the competitive spirit, expressing the desire to win the continental title, especially as the host nation.

Aliou Cisse acknowledged Côte d’Ivoire as a formidable opponent and expects a challenging match. He pointed out that the statistics from the group stage are irrelevant in the knockout stage, emphasizing the start of a new competition. The Senegal coach acknowledged the strength of the Côte d’Ivoire team and the support they have from their fans.

With both teams eyeing a spot in the quarter-finals, the Senegal vs. Côte d’Ivoire clash is anticipated to be a fiercely contested battle. The outcome will determine which team advances further in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023.