AFCON Winning Coach Downplays Senegal’s Chances Against Egypt in World Cup Play Off

• Senegal coach Aliou Cisse says they are not favourites in their World Cup play-off clash against Egypt
• Cisse led Senegal to AFCON success after beating the Pharaohs of Egypt in the final last month in Cameroon
• The two African giants meet again next week in a double header for a place at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this year

Aliou Cisse has rejected the tag of being favourites ahead of Senegal's World Cup play-off against Egypt next week.

The two countries rekindle their rivalry for a place at the World Cup later this year, having already met in the final of the African Cup of Nation, with the West African emerging champions.

The former Senegal captain and now coach of the Teranga Lions at the announcement of his 26-man squad for the double header said he expects a difficult game from Egypt.

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"This double confrontation with Egypt, the team that we have just beaten in the Afcon final on penalties promises to be tough and very difficult," Cisse saidas quoted by Foot Mercato.

"We are champions of Africa, but we are not favourites, because the statistics say that all the teams that have been African champions have not qualified for the World Cup."

Senegal will travel to Cairo for the first leg on March 25, 2022 before the second leg at the newly built stadium in Dakar.

The winner of the two-legged game qualifies for the World Cup in Qatar slated for November this year.

Both Senegal and Egypt were at the World Cup in Russia four years ago, with the two nations exiting at the group stage.

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It will be a repeat of the AFCON finals which was won by the West African nation with Egypt eyeing revenge this time around.

Coach Aliou Cisse has remained faithful to his charges that conquered the rest of Africa last month, with the only absentee being the injured Alfred Gomis.