Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly has downplayed the favourites tag bestowed on his team as they continue to assert their dominance at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
The Teranga Lions became the first team to reach the AFCON 2025 semifinals after edging past a stubborn and 10-man Malian side 1-0 at the Grand Stade de Tanger in Tangier last night.
An early goal from Everton’s Illman Ndiaye proved decisive in a tightly contested West African derby that tested Senegal’s patience and discipline.
“The journalists are saying we are the favourites, but we have to show it on the pitch, and we showed it tonight. Now, we want to continue like this.”
“When you get to the quarterfinals, you know that if you lose you are going home, so today we can be happy. It was a derby, we won it, and now we can continue on our path.
“At the start of the tournament, we wanted to play seven matches and reach the grand final. The semifinal is going to be a serious match, and it’s a good thing that we are going to get some rest.”