Koulibaly handed Senegal flag in Dakar as World Cup push begins | OneFootball

Kalidou Koulibaly received Senegal’s flag from President Bassirou Diomaye Faye at a ceremony in Dakar as their World Cup campaign begins. The Lions fly to the United States on Wednesday and meet France, their first opponents, on 16 June.

In a hall within the presidential palace gardens, the captain opened proceedings before federation president Abdoulaye Faye and the head of state addressed the room and handed over the emblem. According to L'Équipe, the ritual, a staple before major tournaments, was broadcast live nationally to millions.

In traditional dress, Koulibaly evoked the baobab as Senegal’s symbol, quiet yet resilient, with deep roots and unifying shade, and said the team would embody it. He vowed to draw on the courage of Senegalese warriors and spoke of eleven Lions standing.

Among the crowd were Senegalese supporters recently pardoned by the King of Morocco, singing, their medals hung on lanyards marked team Marocco. They described two brother nations and set controversy aside, while reworked Aux armes chants drew a smile from former Marseille midfielder Pape Gueye.

With the two first ladies present, Bassirou Diomaye Faye said handing over the flag felt like placing part of the nation’s soul in the squad and that they were not travelling to make up the numbers. Citing Morocco’s 2022 semi-final, he urged Senegal to follow and told players not to feel inferior.

After the photo the squad looked buoyed. Koulibaly kept a giant flag, and the team head for a friendly against the United States on 31 May.

Source: L'Équipe