Algeria wanted to play Senegal in a friendly in the next FIFA window in June. The matchmaker of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), Pierre Inquiel, told his client of the Fennecs' interest in a match against the African champions between 12 and 14 June in Algiers.
Unfortunately for Algeria, the Terranga Lions declined the invitation. The Senegalese sports daily Record, which gave the information in its edition of Wednesday 18 May, reports that the FSF believes that "there is no sporting advantage" to play against Djamel Belmadi's team at this time.
A position shared by Aliou Cissé. It's out of the question because Senegal gains absolutely nothing," said a source in the specialist newspaper. Even the players will not be motivated. That's why the coach didn't even want to talk about it.
The two teams are engaged in the race for the 2023 AFCON qualification. The Lions, on the other hand, are on two tracks. They are in fact qualified for the 2022 World Cup.
The paths of Senegal and Algeria have not crossed since 2019 AFCON final won by the Fennecs. Algeria who made a shadow of themselves at the 2021 AFCON, are yet to come to terms with recent misfortunes of the team. They failed to qualify for the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar after falling at home to Cameroon.