Cisse - side can go all the way (Allsport)
SENEGAL SKIPPER HAS NO FEARS
By From Isabelle Rondeau, PA International, Paris
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Senegal captain Aliou Cisse on Monday boasted that his
'little' Lions have a big enough bite to devour any team left in the World Cup.
The 'Indomitable Lions' on Sunday became only the second African team in
history to reach the World Cup quarter-finals, with a golden goal victory over
highly-fancied Sweden.
On Monday, Cisse, who is leading Senegal in their maiden World Cup, said there
were more surprises to come.
"We can go very far. Until now most of the teams were superior to us and we
remain the 'little ones'," he told Le Parisien.
"But the 'little ones' can win the World Cup."
Cisse insists Senegal only became fully aware of their potential when they
beat reigning champions France in the tournament opener.
"It was against 'Les Bleus' that we became aware of our qualities," added
the Paris St Germain defender.
"The French were depleted but they were still the world and European
champions.
"We managed to hold on against (Patrick) Vieira, (Youri) Djorkaeff and
(Thierry) Henry and the Senegal people really could not be ashamed of us.
"People now realise that Senegalese football is not as insignificant as some
might have said."
Cisse is proud that Senegal will now be rated alongside, if not above, the
more established African football nations of Nigeria and Cameroon.
"We all want to prove that we can do as well as them, we have the means to do
it because Senegalese football has been the pioneer of African football in
France," he added.
"Since Jules-Francois Bocande (a former Senegal international who played for
Metz, PSG, Nice and Lens in the 1980s), Senegalese players did not believe in
their national football any more.
"Many youngsters ended up in French training centres and, having dual
nationality, they refused to play for their national team.
"But now, instead of playing for the others, they will want to play for
Senegal."
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