Senegal coach unhappy with draw

Senegal coach Joseph Koto was unhappy with his team’s performance at the ongoing African U-20 Championship after they were forced into an eventual 2-2 draw by Cote d'Ivoire at the Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium last Wednesday.

The Junior Teranga Lions were hoping for a win to salvage their bleak campaign after losing their opener to Nigeria last Sunday.

“We had the victory in our hands, in our palms, but we gave it away. We spoilt the show for us as players, for the supporters and the entire nation,” Koto told supersport.com.

“After messing up your first game you don’t fumble with the second, which is what my players did. They repeated the same mistakes from the Nigeria game. Their strikes were coming out of focus or not sharp enough,” he said.

Victorien Angban, who was returning from suspension, handed the Elephanteaux an early lead after nine minutes, which lasted until end of the first half. However, Senegal returned from the break with a stronger determination, with Ibrahima Wadji hitting a brace in the 51st and 55th minutes to put the hosts ahead.

“At that point in time what do you do? Go for another goal to strengthen your lead or fight tooth and nail to preserve your advantage, which unfortunately, we couldn’t,” he said.

Cote d'Ivoire, who were on the verge of elimination at a 2-1 scoreline, scored the equalising goal deep in stoppage time through Chris Bedia to ruin the evening which local fans had set aside for dancing and drinking.

“It’s very painful. We wanted to quell the murmurings and make our people happy. However, that is football. We need to now concentrate on our last group match against Congo. We still have some chances to qualify to the semi-finals and we will do our best,” he said. 

— supersport.com