Sadio Mane: Senegal are ready for AFCON title defence

The Lions of Teranga won their first ever AFCON in Cameroon in 2021, beating Egypt in the final, having ended as runners-up in 2019.

This time around, Senegal will face Cameroon, Gambia and Guinea in Group C and Mane knows it will be a lot tougher to come out on top this time around.

Only Egypt and Cameroon have previously defended their AFCON title with back-to-back wins.

Mane told CAF Online: "We know it won't be easy but we will be there to do our best and try to go through every round. We are expecting a tough competition. This competition will be one of the strongest since I started playing in it because all the big countries are here and they all have their targets, but we will see what will happen.

"Firstly, winning the AFCON was the best trophy I have ever won in my life and coming to do it again will be special and a big achievement. It's been a dream to play in this competition since I was a kid and we will do our best.

"Winning the AFCON will be a big impact for our football because we have won all the other categories which is great for the country."

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