Success on the international stage
It’s a rarity, but Chelsea do not have anyone from the current first-team playing at the Africa Cup of Nations. We do have one prominent loanee in action, however, with Nicolas Jackson leading Senegal’s latest bid for continental supremacy. The Lions of Teranga reached back-to-back finals in the 2019 and 2021 (well, 2022) editions of this tournament, winning the latter, but slumped to a Round of 16 exit last time.
(Slightly less prominent loanee Mamadou Sarr is also on the team, as are ex-Chelsea man Édouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly.)
Senegal faced Botswana, one of the lowest-ranked nations, in their opening game on Tuesday, winning easily, 3-0 as Jackson found the back of the net in both halves and Cherif Ndiaye added a third late on. That now gives Jackson six goals in his last five starts for the national team. Not bad!
Unfortunately, his success rate has been less impressive for Bayern so far this season, with just five goals in eighteen total appearances (and just six starts). Probably won’t be hitting that conditional buy-option! But I suppose we’ll figure out his future once the summer’s here.
Until then, best of luck to Nico & Co at the Afcon!
Category: General Sports
