Senegal set for AFCON boost as key player becomes available

The brawl between the Senegal Football Federation (FSF) and Watford appears to have reached a turning point.

Watford will release Ismaila Sarr to the Senegal national team for a ‘short period’ ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Premier League club had previously denied an unfit Sarr permission to take part in the biennial African tournament, despite the winger being named in Aliou Cisse’s 28-man squad, as a knee ligament injury had sidelined him since November 20.

But Senegal were not satisfied by the ‘specious’ reasons for Sarr’s absence. The FSF demanded the 23-year-old’s release, threatening to seek FIFA intervention against Watford.

"The Senegal Football Federation wishes to express with this communication its deep condemnation of the disrespectful, pernicious and discriminatory behaviour of Watford's hierarchy who look by all means to prevent a player from playing with his national team."

— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) January 2, 2022

Watford expect Sarr to return next week

Whether this did the trick is uncertain, but Senegal have got their way regardless. The Athletic has reported that Sarri will travel to AFCON later today for a ‘short period’ of time.

The Lions of Teranga will have their own medical staff to assess the player’s condition before making a decision on his availability. Once done, Watford expect him to return to England by next Monday to continue his rehabilitation.

Senegal begin their AFCON campaign against Zimbabwe on January 10 at the Kouekong Stadium in Bafoussam. Cisse’s men then face Guinea on January 14 and Malawi four days later in Group B.