Time is Senegal's biggest enemy against Egypt, but we can make history: Cisse

Senegal coach Aliou Cisse admitted that his team will face a tough mission against Egypt on Tuesday in the second leg game of the 2022 World Cup qualifying playoffs, as they will be racing against the clock to score goals and overturn their first-leg deficit.

 “We have a good team so we have nothing to fear. Time is our biggest enemy, but we won't hurry. Our first target is to score the first goal to equalise the results,” Cisse told the pre-game press conference on Monday.

The Teranga Lions suffered a 1-0 defeat at Cairo International Stadium on Friday after an early own goal from Saliou Ciss.

The recently crowned African Champions were criticised for their lack of scoring against Egypt and cautious approach in the first leg. Over 210 minutes in a prolonged African final and the first leg in Cairo, Sadio Mane and company failed to score against the Pharaohs.  

“We played two games against them and we failed to score any goal. It’s not guaranteed that if we bring in more attacking players we will score more goals. We have to be clinical in front of their goal and to make a good start.

“We must be at our best and score at least one goal. We have the chance to make history here in this stadium. The best scenario is to score an early goal against a defensive team, we will put several scenarios for this game, but I think it is logical to say that we can make it. I coach a strong team and we have a lot of confidence,” the Senegal coach added.

Senegal will lose the services of Paris Saint-Germain's central defender Abdou Diallo, who sustained a groin injury during the first leg game in Cairo.