Senegal captain Sadio Mane has said that this year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast will be the toughest compared to previous tournaments.

Senegal are pitted in what many have deemed as the group of death where they will be up against Cameroon, Guinea and The Gambia in Group C.

Sharing his views on their tough group and the rest of the competition, Mane told CAFonline that the Senegal team was expecting a difficult competition as all the big African nations had qualified for this year’s tournament and would all be aiming to do well.

“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,” said Mane. 

Asked on what it would mean for him personally to lift the title in succession, the 31-year-old star said it would be a special achievement as the TotalEnergies AFCON trophy remains one of the best trophies he has won in his glittering career.  

“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,” he added.

Senegal kick off their title defense against The Gambia on Monday, 15 January before the ultimate clash of the Lions when they face the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon three days later.

They conclude their Group C campaign against Guinea on Wednesday, 23 January.