AFCON 2023 - Ismaïla Sarr: "We're even stronger"

For the first time in their history, Senegal will go into an Africa Cup of Nations as defending champions. Winners in 2022, in Cameroon, the Lions of Teranga head into the tournament in Ivory Coast (13 January-11 February) with a target on their backs. But there is no sense of superiority over the other teams. "We respect everyone and everyone respects us too. As I said, we're going there to win, but we respect everyone. To win, you have to respect everyone and have a good game plan. We know it's not easy, but we'll give everything for this country", Ismaïla Sarr said in an interview with RMC Sport.

Sarr is also not fazed by the tag of reigning African champions. The forward intends to lean on the current squad, which he feels is much stronger. "I can say we're even stronger when you see the young players coming into the national team. In terms of the senior figures, everyone is still there. You could say Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly or Edouard Mendy play in Saudi Arabia, but when they join up with the national team, you wouldn't know it. They're ready physically and mentally. We're behind them, they're the leaders. As for me, you could say I'm now one of the leaders. We're here for the new players."

A tough group already

At AFCON 2023, Senegal won't have time to dwell. Aliou Cissé's side face stiff opposition right from the group stage, as they are in Group B with Gambia, Guinea and Cameroon. The Indomitable Lions will be Senegal's second opponents. Ismaïla Sarr nonetheless does not want to get ahead of himself. "Yes, it's a big game. But we're taking it game by game. The group games are very tough. You can say you're looking forward to the Cameroon game, but then you play Gambia first, have a bad game and lose. It's complicated. We'll prepare game by game. We know everyone is waiting for the Cameroon game, but we're relaxed."

2022, an unforgettable year

Before starting the Ivorian adventure, Ismaïla Sarr has not forgotten the journey in Cameroon. Lifting the trophy on the evening of 6 February 2022 will stay with him forever. And of course, he wants to feel those emotions again. "I want to relive moments like that every day. Everyone had been waiting for it for a long time. It was the first time we brought the AFCON home. Everyone came out, everyone was happy, the family…"

But the Olympique de Marseille player knows the competition will be fierce. Sarr knows everyone will have their chance. "It's going to be very, very hard. When you look at Morocco, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Algeria, Tunisia… Even the others, Guinea… Anyone can win this competition. I hope it will be Senegal."

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