Senegal rely on Issa Boye as injuries bite ahead of CHAN clash with Sudan
Senegal are set to lean on substitute striker Issa Boye for their final Pool D encounter against Sudan at the Amaan International Stadium in Zanzibar City on Tuesday, as injuries to two key forwards were disclosed but their identities kept private.
Officials confirmed two strikers were sidelined after the 1-1 draw with Congo Brazzaville in which Boye came on for Yaya Al Mbaye. Boye is now the main replacement in Senegal’s attacking line, with head coach Souleymane Diallo stressing the team’s intent to attack and score, rather than sit back.
Our aim is to win and score goals. We are not going coming to defend. We have better replacements even after those injuries, Diallo said in a late-afternoon briefing at the stadium’s Media Centre. He also acknowledged that the results will shape Senegal’s fate in the month-long tournament.
Diallo is wary of Sudan’s capabilities, particularly after Sudan’s shock 4-0 win over Nigeria, which has them in a strong position in the group. Despite recent disappointments in their two previous matches, the Sudanese team sit on four points with a superior goal difference over Senegal on the standings, and head coach James Appiah — the Ghana-born tactician now in charge of the Sudanese side — said they will be flexible in approach.
We didn’t do well in our previous matches but we are ready to improve on this in our next match, Appiah said. While Senegal have sometimes opted for a defensive style, Sudan plan to blend defense and attack depending on the moment, and will not simply imitate their opponents’ methods. Our aim is to score goals, but ours will be a different approach from what you’ve seen from Senegal in their earlier games, he added, noting that the team will adapt across CHAN, AFCON, and World Cup qualifiers.
What to watch:
– Issa Boye’s first full involvement as Senegal’s leading striker since coming on against Congo Brazzaville.
– Senegal’s intent to press for goals as they seek a result that secures progress from Group D.
– Sudan’s plan to balance defensive solidity with an effective attacking strategy to exploit any gaps.
Summary: The match is a pivotal pool decider in CHAN 2024, with Senegal needing a win to bolster their chances and Sudan aiming to consolidate their position at the top of the group. Both coaches projected a match that blends attack with disciplined defense, making for a potentially thrilling finish in Zanzibar.
Additional notes:
– The outcome could influence who advances from Pool D to the knockout rounds.
– Fans should watch for how Boye integrates into the Senegal attack and how Sudan’s tactical adjustments play out against a team determined to attack.