Boulaye Dia: Senegal Handed Huge Boost with Injured Salernitana Forward Before AFCON

• Boulaye Dia is set to make an early comeback from injury
• The Salernitana forward has been included in Senegal's squad
• Senegal begins the defence of their AFCON title against Gambia

Senegal forward Boulaye Dia is confident of getting fit before the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

The Salernitana attacker suffered an injury during a league game against AC Milan and is expected to be out for up to five weeks.

However, the striker is responding well to treatment and could be available for the Group C opener against Gambia.

"It's getting better. I'm in the phase where I cycle a lot. There is better. Inshallah, it’s going to be okay,” he told Wiw Sport.

The African champions hope to defend the title they won in 2022 and will face Niger in a friendly in Dakar before departing to Ivory Coast.

AFCON 2023: Fiorentina Star M'Bala Nzola Rejects Angola Invite Over Club Commitment

Football

"Let them come and encourage us, because this will be the last time they see us in Diamnia dio before departure. It would be good if they all came to the stadium to encourage us and say goodbye one last time for those who cannot be in Ivory Coast," he added.

Dia was part of the Senegal team that won the tournament in Cameroon.

The Senegalese forward has been in red-hot form for Salernitana this season, scoring four goals in 13 league games, per Transfermarkt.

Aliou Cisse defends selection of injured players

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Aliou Cisse has backed his decision to include three injured players in his squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast next month.

The former Teranga Lions captain announced his 27-man squad for the tournament on Friday, including Saudi-based stars Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy.

Leicester City's Promotion Ambition Set to Suffer Huge Hit Following Departure of Key African Stars

Football

The defending champions travel to Ivory Coast with the hopes of retaining the title they won for the first time in Cameroon last year.

Sadio Mane builds stadium in Senegal

Sports Brief also reported that Sadio Mane extended his developmental works in Senegal by building a new stadium for the people of his hometown, Bambali.

The Al-Nassr star returned home to open the facility ahead of Senegal's camping for the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

A year ago, the former Liverpool star was spotted playing on a muddy pitch in Bambali after a season in Europe.