Soccer

Senegal forced into two late changes for AFCON

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epa10968794 Salernitana's Boulaye Dia (L) scores the team's second goal in the Italian Serie A soccer match US Sassuolo vs US Salernitana at Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia, Italy, 10 November 2023. EPA/SERENA CAMPANINI

Africa Cup of Nations holders Senegal have been forced into two squad chances just days before they begin the defence of their title with striker Boulaye Dia and back-up goalkeeper Seny Dieng ruled out of the tournament in the Ivory Coast.

The Senegalese federation said they would be replaced by Bamba Dieng and Alfred Gomis, both from struggling French club Lorient.

Dia’s participation has been doubt since he injured his knee playing for Salernitana against AC Milan in Serie A on Dec. 22 but had been given time to try and recover.

Middlesborough goalkeeper Dieng also travelled to Senegal’s pre-tournament training camp in Dakar in the hope of proving his fitness, but proved unsuccessful. He had suffered a though injury due to the thigh injury in his club’s Championship victory at Swansea City on Dec. 16.

The new call-ups are a further blow to Lorient, who are second last in the Ligue 1 standings. They already have five players who have gone off to the Cup of

Nations — Darlin Yongwa (Cameroon), Gédéon Kalulu (DR Congo), Siriné Doucouré (Mali), Formose Mendy (Senegal) and Montassar Talbi (Tunisia).

Two more leaves them severely depleted for their game away at Lille this weekend a home game against Le Havre on Jan. 28.

Senegal open their Cup of Nations Group C campaign on Monday against the Gambia in Yamoussoukro.