Senegal coach Aliou Cisse believes his team is inspired by their recent exploits in reaching the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final stage for the first time in 17 years.
The Terenga Lions could even go one step further to seal a spot in the final for the first time since the 2002 final defeat to Cameroon but they need to overcome Alain Giresse’s Tunisian side.
Now Cisse, who missed from the spot back in 2002, would like to make up for the loss with another golden generation of Senegalese footballers.
Aliou Cissé missed the final penalty in the 2002 African Cup of Nations final (the last time Senegal made it past the quarters), 17 years later he’s two games away from exorcising that demon at #AFCON2019… 🇸🇳⚽️ pic.twitter.com/Uova25MMNS
— Joe Crann (@YesWeCrann) July 13, 2019
Ahead of the clash with the Carthage Eagles, Cisse praised the North-African opposition but stated his team are gunning for their first ever Nations Cup title.
“Tunisia are very special and very strong,” he said at his pre-match press conference via FourFourTwo.
“They possess special skills and their players are capable of creating the difference. However, we’re in the semi-finals for the first time since 2002 and this motivates us to win.
“We have improved a lot and I stand by my team.”
Tunisia, meanwhile, have also had to wait over a decade to return to the business end of the tournament.
Winners of this encounter will face the Super Eagles of Nigeria or the high-flying desert Foxes of Algeria who are equally hot favourites to win the prestigious continental showpiece.