As the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations defending champions, Senegal is set to kick off their title defense against The Gambia on Monday, January 15. This match, taking place in Group C, which also includes Cameroon and Guinea, marks the beginning of what is considered the ‘Group of Death’ in the tournament.
Senegal, led by coach Aliou Cisse and featuring star players like Sadio Mane, is aiming for a second consecutive title. Historically, no African champion has progressed further than the round of 16 in the last six editions of the competition, but Senegal has consistently won their opening game in each of the last four editions, setting a strong precedent for their performance in this tournament.
The Gambia, although considered underdogs, are making their second appearance in the competition. Remarkably, they reached the quarter-finals in their inaugural participation in 2021. Coach Tom Saintfiet of The Gambia expressed his team’s readiness and high spirits upon arrival, highlighting their preparation for the competition and their eagerness to make an impact in their second appearance.
The match, set to kick off at Yamoussoukro’s Charles Konan Banny Stadium at 14h00 local time, promises to be a compelling start to the group stage, showcasing the potential of both teams in what’s expected to be a competitive and exciting tournament.
