"It's a big honor to be here as a coach of the national team. I fully enjoy the moment... Yes, I am the only black coach at this tournament. But really, these debates disturb me, because the color of the skin is of very little importance... Football is a sport that unites the whole world. We are fully ready for Poland game, we understand fully well the importance of this game," Cisse told journalists.

He added that there was more to the Senegalese national team than Sadio Mane, even though the 26-year-old Liverpool winger was the squad's leader.

Senegal will kick off their World Cup campaign against Poland at the 44,000-seater Spartak Stadium in Moscow on Tuesday before also taking on Japan and Colombia in their other two Group H matches.