CHAN: Congo knows what is at stake against Senegal – Ngatsono

Congo coach Barthélemy Ngatsono has remained confident heading into their TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) fixture against defending champions Senegal at the New Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar on Tuesday.

Congo will arrive to face the Lions of Teranga after their battling 1-1 draw against Sudan on matchday one, well aware that defeat will complicate their qualification chances.

“After the Sudan game, we took away both positives and negatives,” Ngatsono said as quoted by CAFOnline.com. “But we’ve trained with full awareness of what’s at stake against Senegal. We didn’t come here just to watch others lift the trophy. Like every other team, we’re here for results.”

Forward Japhet Mankou reinforced the team-first ethos. “It’s not about one player. It’s about the team. We have to unite and give everything for the win.

“It’s not about the leagues, this is Congo versus Senegal. We’re fully committed to executing our game plan and following the instructions of our technical staff.”

With both sides making their fourth CHAN appearance and Nigeria and Sudan waiting in the wings, this first-ever meeting between Senegal and Congo promises to shape the group’s destiny.