SENEGAL head coach Aliou Cisse says his players should not rest on their laurels, despite picking a massive 5-1 home win against Mozambique on Friday in the qualifiers for the 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The AFCON defending champions were in roaring form, stinging the Mozambicans to earn their third successive win in Group L and move to nine points, a massive five ahead of second-placed Mozambique.
Senegal can comprehensively wrap up their ticket to defend their title in Ivory Coast with victory against the Mambas in next week’s return duel in Maputo.
“I am delighted because this is a match that we approached very well. We told the players to go at them from the first minute. However, the truth of the matter is tonight is not the same as the match we will play in four days. In Maputo, the task will be difficult because it is not easy to win there,” the reigning African coach of the year stated.
At the Stade Me Abdoulaye Wade in Diamniadio, the Teranga Lions were roaring in fury and led 4-0 at the break. Sadio Mane, making a return to the national team after missing the World Cup with injury was among the goals with Youssouf Sabaly, Ilman Ndiaye and Boulaye Dia providing the other three.
Gildo VIlanculos grabbed one back at the start of the second half, but Senegal restored their 4-goal cushion with an 89th-minute goal from substitute Habibou Diallo.
Eighteen-Eleven Media