Senegal coach Cissé praises team after reaching WAFCON quarter-finals

Senegal Women’s National Team head coach Mame Moussa Cissé says his players fully deserved to qualify for the quarter-finals of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The Lionesses of Teranga, as they are nicknamed, finished third in Group A with three points and advanced to the knockout stage as the best third-placed team.

Cissé stated that reaching the knockout stage was part of their plan. “First of all, we thank God. We worked hard for this qualification, and the scenario by which it came about was one of those we had envisaged.”

Senegal began the competition with a resounding 4–0 win over DR Congo but went on to lose their next two matches against Zambia and hosts Morocco.

“Today, we can say that we prepared well for our first match, with the objective of obtaining the three points and scoring as many goals as possible, because we knew that this could make the difference in a very tough group.”

Senegal will face WAFCON holders South Africa in the quarter-finals. Cissé said they respect every opponent. “I congratulate the girls. A new competition begins now, and we will remain focused. For my part, I have always said: I do not choose my opponent. Whoever comes will be our opponent, and we will give ourselves the means to play the game we need.”

Senegal’s best result in WAFCON is reaching the quarter-finals in 2022, a feat they have now replicated in this edition.