We have to forget the group stage's loss to Algeria and win the final, says Senegal coach

Mahmoud Sheleib, Thursday 18 Jul 2019,

Senegal's coach Aliou Cisse attends a press conference at the International Cairo Stadium on July 18, 2019, on the eve of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) final football match between Senegal and Algeria. (Photo: AFP)

Senegal national football team coach Aliou Cisse praised his players, during the pre-match press conference, for reaching the final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations against Algeria scheduled for Friday.

Cisse believes that the Teranga Lions have a chance in winning the title for the first time in their history.

Senegal met Algeria in their first game in the current African tournament as the two teams were in the same group, the game ended by Senegal's loss 1-0.

"We are still in the tournament's race. Losing to Algeria in the group stage was a mistake, and we revised our mistakes and are now in the final. We have to overcome these mistakes and win," Cisse said.

The Senegalese coach expressed his happiness and pride for reaching this stage revealing that the technical staff had been working hard for a long time.

"Reaching the final in the African Cup of Nations is the outcome of our work after 5 years in this generation," he added.

"We are expecting a strong counterpart tomorrow, and I trust the players. They've reached a stage that the Senegalese national team didn't reach since they were 5 years old. We will seek to achieve the title to make the Senegalese people happy," the former Senegal national team star told press conference.

Senegal reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Tunisia 1-0. This will be the second time Teranga Lions reached the final. The first time was in the 2002 edition, where they lost against Cameroon with penalty shootouts.

The Desert Warriors booked their place in the tournament's final after achieving a dramatic 2-1 victory against Nigeria in the semi-final, while Senegal made it to the final by defeating Tunisia 1-0.

Algeria won the AFCON once in 1990, and reached the final 3 times so far. This will be the first time in 29 years.

The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations final will be held at the Cairo International Stadium on Friday between Algeria and Senegal, with the presence of FIFA's chief Gianni Infantino.

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