Shock exit leaves Senegal in mess

Senegal’s Football Federation says an “evaluation” will determine coach Amara Traore’s future after the Africa Cup of Nations. Senegal were among this year’s top favourites but are going home early after two defeats in as many games.

Co-hosts Equatorial Guinea defeated the Teranga Lions 2-1 on Wednesday, to follow a similar defeat by Zambia. Federation president Augustin Senghor says it is too early to speculate on Traore’s future.

“It is premature to speak about this issue now,” Senghor said. “He should be given time to finish the tournament. He has a contract so it is not in place now to discuss whether he is going to be sacked or maintained,” Senghor added

“He is the coach at this Nations Cup and after the tournament he holds a contract which still keeps him in his job. Everything will be determined after an evaluation. “He was given an objective for the tournament, but this is not the time to make negative comments.

“A report will be submitted after the tournament from which the federation’s executive will decide whether to keep him on or fire him.”
Traore, who had signed a three-year contract last month after a protracted negotiation with the Senegalese federation and the Sport Ministry, has also expressed his intention to continue in the job. “I would like to continue, but the decision is not up to me,” Traore said. “This is a young squad which is still being built and needs to mature. “I have no reason to blame my players, who played well and created countless chances. The ball simply did not want to go in.”

Senegal, who have never won the Nations Cup, will finish their Group A campaign when playing Libya tomorrow. But the loss to rank outsiders Equatorial Guinea re at the rain-soaked Estadio de Bata will be talked about at the tournament for the next few days.

Iban ‘Randy’ Iyanga put a team ranked 151 in the world ahead on 62 minutes, Moussa Sow equalised a minute from time but David Alvarez snatched the winner four minutes into stoppage time.

Defender Alvarez, who plays Spanish third-tier football, had a night to remember as he created the opening goal with a pin-point cross before rifling home the winner after the ball was cut back to him outside the box.
The one-time 125/1 outsiders and tournament co-hosts have a maximum six points and a draw with Zambia in Malabo tomorrow will ensure a team that hired Brazilian coach Gilson Paulo less than three weeks ago top the final table.

Victorious captain Juvenal said: “We were a little lucky to score the second goal in the last few seconds! It’s fantastic for us and our supporters. We’re very hopeful for the future. “Now we want to beat Zambia in our last match because we want to finish top of the group.”
Senegal coach Amara Traore commented: “I congratulate Equatorial Guinea for qualifying. “As for us, we tried everything, I’m content for my players, they gave their all. I am frustrated though, as we came here to make an impact.”

Only the red carding of defender Laurence Doe just before the final whistle cast a dampener over the Equatoguineans after defeating a team 108 places higher on the world rankings.
Zambia and Libya are also in contention for a knockout place with the Copper Bullets holding a three-point lead after a thrilling 2-2 draw in the first half of a double-header that nearly did not take place because of torrential rain.

Equatorial Guinea stuck with the team that snatched a late winner over Libya in the opening match of the tournament last weekend, meaning no starting place for team captain Rodolfo Bodipo. Senegal coach Amara Traore axed three of the team beaten by Zambia four days ago, including veteran captain and striker Mamadou Niang, with Sow and Remi Gomis the others.

Centre-back Kader Mangane was given the armband and into the Teranga Lions line-up came Issiar Dia, Dame N’Doye and recent Newcastle United recruit Papiss Demba Cisse. Dia from Turkish club giants Fenerbahce proved an inspired choice as he was a constant irritant to the Equatoguinean defence down the right flank, showing speed and skill in the area of the pitch worst affected by an earlier downpour.

While club-less Coundoul hardly touched the ball, Brazil-born opposite number Danilo was kept busy as the visitors sought to break through at the 35,000-seat stadium in this port city. A surging Dia run that ended with a superb clearing tackle from Laurence Doe signalled the intent of the Lions and Cisse came close when his close-range lob was tipped over.

It was a different story after half-time with Equatorial Guinea pressing forward more and the predominantly Equatoguinean crowd erupted on 62 minutes when Iyanga nodded the home team ahead.Sow stunned the crowd by firing into the net a minute from time after a fierce goalmouth scramble following a free kick only for Alvarez to snatch the winner.