The coach of the African champions confirmed that the pressure he is exposed to with his players is positive pressure, which will serve as an incentive to achieve further victories in the continental tournament as they look to roar to a second African title.

Speaking from the Charles Konan Banny Stadium on ahead of Monday’s opener against Gambia at 14h00 local time, Cisse said: “The pressure that exists is a positive pressure which motivates us to win, but I have a lot of experience because I will have my fourth experience with Senegal as coach during the African Cup of Nations.”

The Senegalese coach continued: “There are many candidates for the continental title, and Senegal is not the only favorite to win the title”, he cautioned.

The former Senegalese captain said he and his Lions had turned the page on winning the first continental title, revealing they now had another challenge to face.

“We now have a new challenge, yesterday has passed, which was the 2021 African Cup of Nations and today there is the 2023 African Cup of Nations.”

Aliou Cissé spoke of the need to start the competition well, hoping to go far, and repeat the experience of the 2021 edition. He also spoke of his country's first match in the competition, against the Gambia.