Napoli center-back Kalidou Koulibaly played a significant role in the run to Senegal’s first even international trophy, as the ‘Lions of Teranga’ cruised to a penalty shoot-out victory against a strong Egypt side in the final of the African Cup of Nations.
Partenopei president Aurelio De Laurentiis has congratulated the highly-rated defender for his achievement with the national side, highlighting the fact that he has been rewarded for the ‘loyalty to his origins’.
Grande @kkoulibaly26 ! Premiata la fedeltà alle sue origini che gli fanno onore e lo hanno reso ancora di più un grandissimo campione #ADL pic.twitter.com/sC8JePRT2A
— AurelioDeLaurentiis (@ADeLaurentiis) February 7, 2022
De Laurentiis posted on Twitter: “Grande Koulibaly! The loyalty to his origins was rewarded, which do him honor and makes him even more of a great champion.”
The 30-year-old was born and raised in France to Senegalese parents, making him eligible to play for both nations – out of which he chose Senegal. He starred for the French U20 national team early in his career before switching his allegiance to the African nation. He made his debut for Senegal’s senior side in September 2015.
He later explained his decision, saying: “I don’t have any regrets because I want to write the story of the future for Senegal football and I hope I’ll be able to do that.” (via BBC Sport).
The AFCON winner will return to Italy to resume his club campaign with the Partenopei, having not played for Napoli since the clash against Atalanta in the beginning of December. Napoli sit sandwiched between the two Milan giants, in second place, as they seek to capture their first Scudetto since the days of Diego Maradona.
They face league leaders Inter next weekend in a highly anticipated top-of-the-table clash.