Senegal coach Guy Stephan claimed on Wednesday that his team are the victim of a vicious smear campaign aimed at undermining the co-favourites’ assault on the African Nations Cup.
The Frenchman said that stories circulating in Tunis, which claim star striker El Hadji Diouf enjoyed a late night out before their opening game against Burkina Faso on Monday, were part of a deliberate attempt to destroy the team’s morale.
”It is necessary to pay close attention. There is a newspaper which is looking to destablise the Senegal team,” Stephan told Senegalese journalists.
”A lot of teams here are afraid of us. We remain professional in our organisation and with our relations with the media and we are concentrating only on our next match with Kenya on Friday.”
Stephan, who saw his side labour to a 0-0 draw in their opening match against Burkina Faso on Monday, added that he had every confidence in his players’ ability and attitude.
”My players know the importance of these matches. I have confidence in them. At the moment there is a campaign of destabilisation.
”I have spoken to El Hadji Diouf and we are concentrating on the match with Kenya. Let me say this — if he went out, show me the proof.”
El Hadji Diouf said he was not conerned about the reports.
”It is not the first time that there have been stories about me,” he said.
”They do not bother me. I know that I wasn’t out. I respect my teammates. People talk too much but this does not worry me since we are the team to beat.
”On the pitch, it is almost impossible so they have to try with poison off the pitch. I am strong mentally and ready to endure anything.” — Sapa-AFP