AL RAYYAN, Qatar : Senegal coach Aliou Cisse has total trust in goalkeeper Edouard Mendy despite his rocky start to the World Cup campaign.
Mendy, who Cisse said had a steely resolve and was a certain starter for their second Group A game against Qatar on Friday, was arguably at fault for both goals in his side's opening 2-0 loss to the Netherlands.The defeat has left the African champions with work to do to escape a group that also includes an Ecuador side who made light work of hosts Qatar in their opening match.
It also continued a difficult spell for Mendy, who has found himself on the bench for periods at Chelsea this season, with Kepa Arrizabalaga preferred under new manager Graham Potter.His place in the Senegal side, however, is not under threat, with Cisse confident in his keeper's mental strength. "Edouard is doing very well, he has got a steely resolve," Cisse told reporters on Thursday. "Edouard's qualities speak for themselves, I don't think that anyone is doubting him, sometimes he has highs, sometimes he has lows, he has my full trust, my blind trust, and that of his team mates.
Tomorrow he will be on the pitch." The game against the Netherlands had appeared to be heading for a draw until the 84th minute when Frenkie de Jong's cross was curled invitingly into the box.