Senegal head coach Aliou Cisse has urged his side not to take the Cranes for granted as the two teams build up to their round of 16 clash due Friday July 5 at the Cairo International Stadium, Cairo.
Senegal sealed their passage into the last 16 stage of the tournament after defeating Kenya 3-0 in their group C clash on Monday thanks to a brace by Liverpool forward Sadio Mane and a solo goal from Ismail Sarr.
On the other hand, the Uganda Cranes secured passage to the knock out rounds after they finished second to Egypt in Group A with four points.
Despite carrying a favorite’s tag in this match up, Senegalese coach Aliou Cisse has said it will not be easy for them given Uganda’s ambition since the tournament kicked off.
“No one should take the Ugandan team for granted. They have showed since the tournament started that they are here for a serious mission and facing them will not be an easy task,” Cisse told the media in Cairo.
“We need to make sure we prepare well to face Uganda because now it’s direct elimination and it will be hard, the Ugandan team is the team which has lost the least in the last few years.”
The last time the two sides met was in a friendly match in July 2017 as Senegal were preparing for the World Cup in Russia. It ended in a goalless draw but Cisse said that that’s when he was impressed with how far the Cranes had improved as a team.
“Everyone expected us to beat them (Uganda) when we played last year. They said they were a little team but I said be careful, this is a team who are progressing,” Cisse said.
Earlier on, Cranes head Coach told FUFA media that he would prefer if his side were to play against Senegal other than against Kenya in the next round.
The Cranes are yet to win against the Lions of Taranga in their previous five meetings as they have lost twice and managed to pick up three draws in the process.
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