AFCON hosts Ivory Coast knock Senegal out of the tournament on penalty kicks as Rangers and Abdallah Sima’s injury luck is compounded.
Habib Diallo had given Senegal a 4th minute lead in the match before Franck Kessie equalised with only four minutes to play from a penalty kick.
The AFCON Round of 16 clash would then eventually go to penalties after extra time with Senegal crashing out to Ivory Coast, the hosts winning 5-4 after Moussa Niakhaté hit the post for the Teranga Lions.
One of the tournament favourites, Senegal are crashing out almost two weeks earlier than expected and Rangers fans will be cursing their luck after an injury to Abdallah Sima.
Senegal compound Abdallah Sima injury blow
The Brighton loanee, 22, is facing up to three months on the sidelines after sustaining an injury during training preparations with the Senegal side at AFCON.
Sent home without playing a single minute of the tournament, Rangers are now set to be without the forward for an extended period in a sizeable blow to the Ibrox club.
Abdallah Sima’s 15 goals in the first half of the season will undoubtedly be a miss to the Gers and the attacker’s influence has been a blow to Senegal too.
Whilst there’s no way to tell if Sima would’ve been a Senegalese difference-maker, the eight games the £7m Brighton forward could’ve missed would’ve now turned into three, or four if you include the weekend’s Premiership clash with Livingston.
AFCON blow sums up Rangers luck
Once again Rangers’ luck on the injury front has devastated the team and everyone at Ibrox is hoping Abdallah Sima returns to the squad before long.
It’s also not clear if Rangers are to keep the attacker around for his rehabilitation with negotiations ongoing with Brighton and nothing confirmed at the time of writing.
Whilst on a personal level the situation with AFCON and Senegal is a huge blow to Abdallah Sima, the forward will also be hoping that the problem doesn’t completely kill off his Rangers career.
Philippe Clement has previously been clear that he’d like to sign the Brighton talent permanently, whilst Abdallah Sima’s agent has suggested the feeling is mutual.
