馃嚫馃嚦SenegalWest Africa
Concerns arise over Kalidou Koulibaly's fitness ahead of Senegal's World Cup qualifiers
via SeneNews2 min read
Senegal's captain, Kalidou Koulibaly, has returned to collective training and played a few minutes in a recent friendly against Saudi Arabia after a two-month absence due to a thigh injury. While his return is positive, concerns remain about his physical condition. The 34-year-old defender, with over a hundred caps, has not yet regained his full strength or usual rhythm. His performance against Saudi Arabia confirmed he still needs time to reach his best level. The technical staff faces a dilemma regarding his integration, especially with a crucial match against France approaching. The defensive pairing of Mamadou Sarr and Moussa Niakhat茅 has shown promise, offering a reliable alternative. The central question is whether to rush Koulibaly's return or allow for a gradual build-up. The team's staff is leaning towards a cautious approach, planning to use him progressively to ensure he is fully prepared for later stages of the competition rather than rushing him into the starting lineup.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
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