Senegal coach Aliou Cisse expressed his content at his side’s splendid display after their first game of the 2018 Fifa World Cup on Tuesday.
The Teranga Lions clinched a 2-1 victory against Poland in their first group clash after Thiago Cionek’s 37th minute own goal and a defensive error on the 60th minute, gifted Mbaye Niang the strike that sent the Africans to a 2-0 lead.
2 🇸🇳 vs 🇵🇱 1. pic.twitter.com/ayv7enRT28
— FSF (@FootballSenegal) June 19, 2018
Gregorz Krychowiak scored on the 86th minute to pull Adam Nawalka’s charges back into the game but Senegal stood firm, thereby claiming Africa’s first win of the tournament.
Speaking to reporters after the contest at a post match presser, Aliou Cisse praised his team for the victory but added that they must now switch to the Japan test.
“We managed to control the game in terms of tactics and our emotions. We didn’t want to give anything away, and we did that well.
“It is a victory which means we are entering the competition in a way that is the best possible one for us. We knew it was going to be difficult, but we were ready for it.’’
Cisse went on to ground his emotions ahead of the Japan fixture, stating; “We know it is going to be difficult against Japan, and that is why today’s win against Poland was important.’’
Match #15 | #POL 1-2 #SEN #POLSEN pic.twitter.com/N11ZpY2k9u
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 19, 2018
The former Portsmouth player also offered his gratitude not just to his own fans, but from other African nations that are not being represented at the World Cup.
“I can tell you that the whole of Africa was supporting us, and they are still doing so. I got phone calls from everywhere before this game. We are proud to represent them all.’’
Senegal has bagged three points and will need a win against Japan to seal a spot in the round 16 stage. They face Japan at the Ekaterinburg Arena on June 24.
