Senegal may be without a coach when playing against England

* England - Senegal: 10pm today, on MetaSports.

Cisse could not practice with the Senegal team on December 2 and December 3. He was also absent from the pre-match press conference on December 3, to be replaced by assistant Regis Bogaert.

"Cisse has a fever and that's why we have to be careful with his situation," Bogaert said at a press conference. "Cisse has been sick for the past few days, and our coaching staff have been in charge of training since yesterday." But this assistant was optimistic about Cisse's ability to recover in time to direct on Al Bayt Stadium today.

Senegal lost its number one star Sadio Mane just before leaving for the 2022 World Cup, and started the tournament poorly when losing 0-2 to the Netherlands on the opening day. But then, the African representative beat hosts Qatar 3-1 and Ecuador 2-1 to finish second in Group A, meeting the top team of Group B, England in the round of 16. Senegal is one of two African teams to pass the group stage, alongside Morocco - the winner of Group F and will meet Spain in the round of 16.

Senegal has only reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup once, in 2002. At that time, they beat Sweden in the 1/8 round and lost 0-1 to Turkey in the quarterfinals. African history also recorded Senegal in 2002 and Cameroon in 1990 as the two rare teams to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup. But Bogaert insists Senegal will be determined to beat England today to replicate the achievement of the 2002 generation.

"Defeating England would be a great achievement," he said. "Winning against a strong opponent like England sends a strong message of the progress Senegal has made."

At the tournament 20 years ago held in Korea and Japan, it was Aliou Cisse who was part of the Senegal team that knocked France - then the defending champion - in the group stage with a score of 1-0. Therefore, according to assistant Bogaert, the communication and sharing of experience of the 46-year-old coach was well received by the students. Cisse also encourages senior players in the team to pass on their experience to the juniors.

Cisse has led Senegal since 2015, helping the team reach the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup in 2017, attend the group stage of the 2018 World Cup, win the 2019 African Cup runner-up before defeating Egypt to win the first title in 2022. Bogaert ca. Praise the energy, honesty and position of Cisse that has helped Senegalese football advance over the years.

Senegal's assistant coach confirmed that Real Betis right-back Youssouf Sabaly and Leicester midfielder Nampalys Mendy are in the best shape, and are ready to play today. But Cheikhou Kouyate - midfielder currently wearing Nottingham Forest - could not return in time.

The match in the 1/8 round of the World Cup 2022 today will be the first time Senegal meets England. Before that, the two teams had never met each other in friendly matches and official tournaments.