Edouard Mendy: Senegal Goalie Charges Mane and Koulibaly to Prove Critics Wrong About SPL at AFCON

• Edouard Mendy remains confident ahead of AFCON 2023
• The former Chelsea star hopes to defend the title with Senegal
• The Al-Ahli goalkeeper has defended the quality of the SPL

Al-Ahli goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy has vowed to prove critics wrong about the Saudi Pro League at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The former Chelsea shot-stopper moved to Saudi Arabia in the summer transfer window following a successful stint with the Blues and after winning the AFCON with Senegal.

His decision to leave Chelsea drew huge criticisms, with many claiming Mendy and fellow former Premier League stars joined the Saudi Pro League for their retirement package.

Mendy's Senegal teammates Kalidou Koulibaly and Sadio Mane also ply their trade in the Asian continent, joining Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr respectively in the summer transfer widow.

According to Mendy, the only way to prove the Saudi Pro League is competitive is for him and his teammates to lead the Teranga Lions to a successful defence of their title.

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"We have been talking about the African Cup since we were signed because of course, we won the last one so we want to make the best tournament in January. I used to speak to Sadio and Kalidou about it. Of course, we have a big responsibility, we are the leaders in this team," he told Saudi Pro League media.

"We say to each other, we are here (Saudi Arabia), but we can't be bad. It's impossible, we have to be the best version of ourselves. We have to make them proud and we have to show that we are not here for retirement like some people say. It is totally wrong," he added.

"The level of this league is very high and if you don't perform here, you can't perform at the national team."

Mendy was named the best goalkeeper in December in the Saudi Pro League, as reported by Sports News Africa.

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Senegal will begin the defence of their AFCON title with a game against neighbours Gambia.

Senegal arrives for AFCON 2023

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that defending champions Senegal have arrived for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Led by Al-Nassr's talismanic forward, Sadio Mane, the team touched down in Abidjan in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The AFCON title holders travelled to Yamoussoukro, where they will be based for all of their Group C matches.