Sport
I dare Napoli to stop signing African players – Senegal coach, Aliou Cisse
Senegal coach Aliou Cisse, has challenged Napoli’s president, Aurelio de Laurentiis to try to not recruit African players.
The 46-year-old’s comments come after Napoli owner and president Aurelio de Laurentiis said the Italian club will avoid signing any more African players unless they agree not to play in the biennial tournament.
“I love them but either they sign a waiver and pull out of playing in the AFCON because otherwise between the AFCON and the Copa America (players) they’re never available. We are the suckers who pay their wages…” Laurentiis said in a a Wall Street Italia talk show.
Speaking to BBC Sport Africa, Aliou Cisse who is known to be vocal when it comes to African players said ; “A football player can play for 12 teams, say, but will only have one national team,” Cisse told BBC Sport Africa.
“Clubs will never be above our flag and our national teams. And every Senegalese who plays in Europe, wherever he will be, if he is competent I will call him to defend the colours of the nation.
“I have a lot of respect for (De Laurentiis) but I challenge them to try to not recruit African players.” He concluded.