Senegal head coach Aliou Cisse warned his side against falling into a ‘trap’ when they look to see of minnows Benin in their Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final clash.
The Squirrels saw Morocco miss a stoppage-time penalty before they then produced a shock victory in the shoot-out to book a place in the last eight for the first time.
Michel Dussuyer’s side had only progressed from the group stages as one of the best third-placed teams.
With hosts Egypt and defending champions Cameroon also not making it through to the quarter-finals, the Lions of Teranga, driven on by Liverpool forward Sadio Mane, are being touted as potential tournament winners.
Cisse, though, is not about to dismiss Benin, with Senegal looking to go one better than when he was captain of the side in the 2002 final which lost on penalties against Cameroon.
“We should give every team its right and respect Benin,” he said at a press conference.
“There are no small teams in Africa, the quality is very similar. The game will not be easy.
“Yes, on the paper we are one of the favourites to win (the competition), but papers do not decide anything. Benin’s match might be a trap.”
Dussuyer, meanwhile, feels his squad – led by captain Stephane Sessegnon, have earned their place in the last eight.
“Our presence in this stage is not out of luck, we worked hard and I believe in my players,” he said.
“Senegal will be a huge challenge for us, because they are one of the great teams in Africa.”
CAF Confederation Cup
Simba make good start beating Bravos do Maquis
CAF Confederation Cup
Enyimba fall to Al Masry in Alexandria
CAF Confederation Cup
Zamalek got their Group D campaign off to a comfortable star
CAF Champions League
Mamelodi Sundowns Off to a Lukewarm Start in 2024/25 CAF Champions League
CAF Champions League
AL Ahly start CAF CL campaign with win over Stade d’Abidjan
CAF Champions League
TP Mazembe win CAF Women’s Champions league trophy
Africa Cup of Nations
Zimbabwe Afcon hopes dashed after loss to Cameroon
Africa Cup of Nations
Zambia end Afcon campaign with comfortable win over Sierra Leone
Africa Cup of Nations
Tanzania,Mozambique,Botswana Qualify for Afcon 2025 in Morocco
Africa Cup of Nations
Afcon Preview: Burundi battle Malawi in Abidjan in Group L
Africa Cup of Nations
Afcon Preview:Togo hopeful for Afcon as they travel to meet Liberia
Africa Cup of Nations
Afcon Preview: Burkina Faso and Senegal clash in group L first place battle
Africa Cup of Nations
Afcon Preview: Rwanda Amavubi host Libya in a 2025 Afcon Qualifier
Africa Cup of Nations
Mo Salah and Ziyech left out of Egypt and Morocco squads for Afcon Qualifiers
Africa Cup of Nations
Afcon Preview: Tanzania Taifa Stars host Guinea in a high-stakes game
Africa Cup of Nations
Afcon Preview: Zambia host Cote D’Ivoire at Levy Mwanawasa
Africa Cup of Nations
Afcon Preview: Tunisia Carthage Eagles take on Gambia Scorpions
Africa Cup of Nations
Afcon Preview: Zimbabwe Warriors in ding dong battle against Kenya’s Harambee Stars
Africa Cup of Nations
Afcon Preview: Uganda Cranes face off against South Africa in Kampala
Must See
-
AFRICA
/ 4 years agoSierra Leone FA President Isha Johansen endorses Patrice Motsepe for CAF President
Sierra Leone FA President who also doubles up as CAF Executive Council member Madam...
-
Football
/ 4 years agoIT JUST CAN NOT BE – AN AFRICA FULL OF MORONS?
By John De Mathews, There is an eerie silence around Africa, and it is...