Defending champions, Senegal will begin their title defense against The Gambia on Monday when both sides clash in their opening Group C fixture at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. With world class players like Sadio Mane, Edouard Mendy, the team is considered one of the favorites of the tournament and having a second straight win will be satisfactory.
Senegal takes against one of the competition’s underdogs, who are only making their second participation, The Gambia. But this is the same country that, in 2021, made it to the quarterfinals during their first participation.
The Gambia coach, Tom Saintfiet, told CAFOnline upon their arrival that they were well prepared for the competition and hoped to do well in their second appearance.
“We are delighted to arrive in Côte d’Ivoire for the second consecutive Africa Cup of Nations. We are well prepared for the competition, and we are ready for the start of the competition. We expect the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Côte d’Ivoire to be special and good, especially with the presence of The Gambia in Group C alongside Senegal, Guinea and Cameroon”