Eric Djemba-Djemba has claimed that Senegal are the favourites to win the Africa Cup of Nations because it’s ‘not easy’ playing against Liverpool forward Sadio Mane, as he told Sky Sports News (09/01/22 at 12:20 pm).
The former Manchester United and Aston Villa midfielder thinks, along with the £34 million Liverpool player (BBC Sport), Senegal have ‘many, many big names’ in their squad.
Senegal kick off their Africa Cup of Nations tournament by locking horns with Zimbabwe on Monday afternoon.
All eyes will be on whether Mane can work his magic and help his team lift the trophy at the end of the tournament, with the likes of Algeria and Egypt the other teams being backed to go all the way.
Former Cameroon international, Djemba-Djemba, fully understands the pressures of playing in this tournament and he has his money on Senegal.
“Senegal is a big nation of football in Africa,” said Djemba-Djemba. “And Sadio Mane is there. It’s not easy with him.
“You have Sadio Mane and you have many, many, many big names in Senegal. I think, at this moment, they are the favourites.”
Mane’s final game for Liverpool, before departing for the AFCON’s, was his side’s 2-2 draw against Chelsea in the Premier League.
The 29-year-old scored at Stamford Bridge and put the ball past his national teammate, Edouard Mendy.
But, unfortunately for the Senegal supporters, they will be without their star goalkeeper because he has tested positive for COVID just before the Zimbabwe match.
Either way, given that Zimbabwe aren’t one of the heavyweights of the AFCON tournament, then Senegal should still have enough to put their first win on the board.
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