We Could Have Senegal Strikers Back Early!

Last updated : 24 January 2012 By Footy Mad - Editor

kur

Senegal coach Amara Traore insists his side's opening African Nations Cup defeat will act as a wake-up call as they aim to bounce back against Equatorial Guinea on Wednesday.

The Lions suffered a shock 2-1 defeat against Zambia in their Group A opener at the weekend, undermining their reputation as one of the favourites to lift the continental crown.

They have the chance to make amends against Equatorial Guinea but must beware the co-hosts, who are on a high having pulled off a shock of their own with a 1-0 win over Libya.

Traore called for calm after Saturday's loss and insists his men can learn from the defeat.

Traore: "We lost a battle, not the war.

"It'll wake us up, and that's going to help me a lot on the psychological front.

"We turned the page on this match, holding a debriefing on what needed to be fixed. My talk to the team was based on the fundamentals: passing, working as a unit, being aggressive."