Kalidou Koulibaly interview: Senegal captain wants to win Africa Cup of Nations to prove you can play in Saudi Arabia and be competitive
Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly speaks on his nation's bid to retain the Africa Cup of Nations, Nicolas Jackson's struggles and Saudi Arabia life; watch every Africa Cup of Nations match live on Sky Sports, including Senegal vs Gambia on Monday, kick-off 2pm
@SamBIitz
Saturday 13 January 2024 08:47, UK
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On the eve of the Africa Cup of Nations, Kalidou Koulibaly leans forward and makes a big statement. «This AFCON will be one of the best,» he tells Sky Sports from Senegal's camp in the Ivory Coast.
It is perhaps unusual for the captain of the tournament holders to lavish praise on his team's competition. But that just sums up the AFCON spirit. This competition is not about Senegal, nor any other country. It's a chance for the entire continent to show its quality on its own stage.
This unity has been visible in recent World Cups: the entire continent getting behind Ghana in 2010 as the last African team standing. The same with Morocco — who became the first African side to ever reach the last four in Qatar 2022.
Now Africa stands as one again amid recent upheaval in its continental competition. It was moved back to the winter two years ago due to an inability to play in the summer heat, thereby bringing up the mid-season 'club vs country' row. But the number of quality players out in the Ivory Coast right now shows the value of this tournament.
«Us older players, we have to be proud to be African and to respect our national team and play for our national team,» says Koulibaly.
«For me, Africa will be the future. I hope everybody is conscious of that and they will do everything to make African football go up.
»For me, it's not just about Senegal, it's about
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