Senegal coach Aliou Cisse has called up Lorient striker Bamba Dieng and goalkeeper Alfred Gomis after the withdrawals of Boulaye Dia and Seny Dieng due to injuries ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Dia has been battling with a muscular injury he suffered in a 2-2 Serie A draw between Salernitana and AC Milan before Christmas while Dieng has been out with a thigh injury since last month while on club duty with Middlesbrough in the Championship.
Cisse is however confident that Bamba Dieng and Gomis can fill in for the injured Dia and Seny Dieng following Senegal’s warm-up 1-0 win over Niger on Monday evening.
“This is sad news for Boulaye [Dia] and Seny,” Cisse said after the game.
“With the team doctors, we thought they would return before the AFCON, but that is not the case. I said that if they didn’t return to their best level, we would change them, but that’s not the case.
“Now, Bamba Dieng will be there to replace Boulaye and Alfred Gomis will take Seny’s place. It’s continuity. Bamba and Alfred know the house.”
OFFICIEL : Aliou Cissé confirme les forfaits de Boulaye Dia et Seny Dieng ! Ils sont remplacés par Bamba Dieng et Alfred Gomis ! ???? pic.twitter.com/8xSk9iHYqI
— ???????????????????????????? ????????́????????́???????????????????????? ???????? (@JoueursSN) January 8, 2024
The Teranga Lions will begin their quest to defend their AFCON title when they take on neighbours the Gambia in Group C next Monday.
