LIVE: Senegal v Tunisia | 2019 AFCON SEMI-FINALS
Match info:
Time: 12:00 ET Canada-USA | 18:00 Cairo Local Time
Venue: 30 June Stadium
Referee: Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia)
Senegal will not underestimate Tunisia as they bid to reach the Africa Cup of Nations final for the second time in their history.
The Lions beat Benin 1-0 courtesy of Idrissa Gueye’s 69th-minute strike to reach the last four, keeping a clean sheet for the fourth time at this year’s competition.
Only Algeria have managed to breach Senegal’s steely defence so far, but on Sunday they go up against a Tunisia side who eased to a 3-0 quarter-final victory over Madagascar.
Senegal coach Aliou Cisse expects another tough challenge, telling a news conference: “Tunisia are a good team who do good things. We won’t underestimate anyone and we won’t lack concentration.
“There are still two matches to go. We came here with ambition, we hoped to reach the quarter-final, but we’ll keep our feet on the ground.
“We haven’t reached this stage since 2006. It’s been 13 years and Senegal haven’t been here, so this already represents a progression.
“We’ll have more humility. I believe these are great professionals. I’ve always been confident in the work we’re doing.”
“..never think about the final but think about the next game only..”
Tunisia put in an impressive second-half display against Madagascar, scoring twice in eight minutes before Naim Sliti added a third in second-half stoppage time.
“We are the first to beat Madagascar,” Tunisia boss Alain Giresse said. “This proves the quality of this team in this competition.
“We are very satisfied we are in the semi-finals. Now we are at this stage of the competition, which Tunisia had been waiting for for many years. It was an objective.
“We have to play this semi-final with all our weapons and obviously try to go as far as possible. We know what to do about it. We know what to expect.
“We want to finish this competition in style.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Senegal – Alfred Gomis
SPAL goalkeeper Gomis has conceded just once at this year’s tournament but his toughest test awaits against Tunisia.
Tunisia – Youssef Msakni
Msakni was instrumental in turning the quarter-final against Madagascar in his team’s favour, providing the assist for Ferjani Sassi’s opener before netting the second himself.
