AFCON 2023: Song admits the superiority of Senegal and sees last match as final

The head coach of Cameroon’s senior men’s national team, Rigobert Song minced no words while accepting the fact that the holders, Senegal were better than his team.

The Indomitable Lions suffered their first defeat at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after a 3-1 loss to the Teranga Lions.

Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diallo, and Sadio Mane scored for the defending champions while Jean-Charles Castelleto reduced the deficit for the Central African side.

After the match, Song during his post-match reactions accepted that Senegal was better than his team.

“When there is a defeat, we must bear responsibility, and therefore we must admit that Senegal was better than us in the match,” Song said.

“Senegal was stronger than us. Their players were in their places on the field. They deserved their victory. For our part, we have young players in the national team, and they are at the beginning of their experience.”

In a game where Cameroon had a slight advantage in possession with 53% against Senegal’s 47%, Song highlighted what went wrong with his team.

“What did not go well? I think the players did everything they could during the match, and small details made the difference in the match. We admit that the competitors were better than us.”

Song is therefore optimistic about their last game against Gambia as a final for the team.

“I am optimistic. As long as there is a final match, there are no calculations to make. The next match will be a final for us, and I know that we will qualify for the second round.” He concluded.

Depending on the result of the match between Senegal and Guinea, a win for Cameron will put the team in second or third position in Group C.

A third position will mean the five-time champions will have to qualify through the route of best third-placed teams.