Kalidou Koulibaly Declares Gambia Clash As Final as Senegal Begin Defence of AFCON Title

• Kalidou Koulibaly are expecting a tough test against Gambia
• The African champions face their neighbours in Group C
• Senegal will also face Cameroon and Guinea in their group

Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly hopes the Teranga Lions will be off to a good start at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d'Ivoire.

The champions begin the defence of their AFCON title with a clash against neighbours the Gambia.

According to the Al-Hilal centre-back, the game against Gambia will be a tough one and will be treated as if it is the final of the competition.

“We will first welcome the Gambia team who had difficulties with their plane. The first historic match against Gambia took place in 1962. We learned everything about Gambia," he said at the pre-match presser, as quoted by 13 Football.

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"We are ready to play against our brothers. We know it's very difficult when it comes to playing against your brothers, your cousins, people close to us. The match is very important for us, we will take it as a final,” he added.

Senegal will also face five-time champions Cameroon and Guinea in Group C, as reported by NBC Sports.

The 2021 champions have been plagued with injuries during preparations with forward Boulaye Dia ruled out of the tournament.

Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye and Nampalys Mendy of RC Lens remain a doubt for the opening game on Monday.

Koulibaly opens up on AFCON defence

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly believes the Teranga Lions face a tough test to defend their title.

Senegal, seven-time winners Egypt, and five-time winners, Cameroon, are some of the major teams set to battle it out for Africa’s biggest football prize in Ivory Coast.

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According to CAF Online, Koulibaly admitted the Teranga Lions would face a tougher challenge to retain their title because of the presence of the top teams and the winner would have to truly earn it.

Senegal arrive for AFCON in style

Sports Brief also reported that the Teranga Lions of Senegal arrived in Ivory Coast in crisp style ahead of the defence of their Africa Cup of Nations title.

Led by new husband and Al-Nassr star, Sadio Mane, the team touched down in Abidjan in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

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