Senegal coach Aliou Cisse has released Rangers striker Abdallah Sima from his squad at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations due to injury.
Sima did not get the chance to play in Ivory Coast, missing games against the Gambia and Cameroon as he struggled for full fitness.
The 22-year-old is now back in Glasgow Rangers to treat the thigh injury as the rest of his international teammates continue the quest to defend their AFCON title in Ivory Coast.
Cisse, during his press conference on Monday, expressed regret about Sima’s early departure and he delivered a positive update on Lorient forward Bamba Dieng’s return from a slight knock.
“I am very sad for him,” he said. “When he left the group, he was quite sad. He’s a boy who has a lot of quality and I was counting on him. It’s a shame that he was injured but he is young and will come back stronger.
“He [Dieng] had an ankle problem but returned to training yesterday (Sunday). There is no problem.”
Senegal picked up maximum points from their opening two matches in Group C and they need at least a point against Guinea on Tuesday to seal their position as group leaders.
