CISSE: MY LIONS ARE FEELING SO SADIO

SENEGAL boss Aliou Cisse lamented Sadio Mane’s absence as he tried to lift the storm clouds gathering over the African champs.

The former Birmingham City and Portsmouth midfielder, who led his country to their first Africa Cup of Nations title this year, was asked how the Lions of Teranga would cope without their talisman striker against Holland.

The Bayern Munich star was a shock withdrawal after suffering an injury last week to a tendon in his right knee. And Cisse (left) said: “People from all over the world – the whole football family – has been saddened by this. I’ve taken many phone calls in the last few days. All coaches build their team around their best player. That’s certainly the case with us and we hope he gets back as quickly as possible.”

Asked if it had affected morale, Cisse responded: “Of course it affects you. He’s our best player, a leader, but we do have a very strong mentality.”