AFCON 2021: Senegal handed major squad boost ahead of quarter-finals

The Lions will have a key player back in the squad ahead of their upcoming match against Equatorial-Guinea.

Senegal star Ismaila Sarr has returned to team training after recovering from a knee injury. The Watford winger will be able to play for the Lions in their next Africa Cup of Nations match.

Senegal defeated Cape Verde 2-0 to qualify for the tournament’s quarter-finals, where they meet Equatorial-Guinea. The Lions will now be able to continue their campaign with a major reinforcement in their attacking line.

Senegal boss Aliou Cisse named Sarr in his AFCON squad despite the 23-year-old’s injury. Watford were initially reluctant to release him but changed their mind after Senegal threatened to report the issue to FIFA.

“The English club Watford notified on the basis of spurious arguments its decision to block the player Ismaila Sarr,” the FA wrote in an official statement.

“The player has expressed his desire to join the Senegalese selection for the Cup of Nations,

“The FSF responded immediately to confirm the player’s call-up and the club’s obligation to release the player by no later than January 3.

“Furthermore, the West Africans threatened to take the matter up to Fifa should Watford persist in its deliberate refusal to release the player.”

Before his injury setback in November, Sarr scored five goals in his 12 appearances for Watford. The winger will most likely form an attacking duo alongside Sadio Mane in Senegal’s upcoming games.