Senegal coach Alain Giresse declared on Friday that his side’s 1-1 draw against South Africa in Group C at the Africa Cup of Nations must go down as a good result.
“We knew we were playing against a good side and to not lose constitutes a good result for us,” said the Frenchman after the game which left the Lions of Teranga on top of the group and in need of just a point against Algeria in their last match to reach the quarter-finals.
Senegal beat Ghana 2-1 in their opening game but Giresse made four changes to his starting line-up for the meeting with the South Africans in Mongomo, with Moussa Sow one of those coming in after netting the winner against the Black Stars.
“I made four changes to my starting line-up to add some physical freshness, and it was planned that Sadio Mane would return for the second match,” added the coach.
“Nothing is settled. The final day will be fatal. That shows how difficult a group this is.”
Goalkeeper and captain Bouna Coundoul added: “Before the start of the tournament we said that Senegal were outsiders because we finished second in our qualifying group. But now we are top of the group.
“We wanted to win, but the important thing was not to lose and keep alive our chances of qualifying.”
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Giresse settles for Senegal draw
