African Cup of Nation (AFCON) is just a few weeks to kick off and teams are in their final preparations as they expect to reap big from Africa’s elite competition.
Squads have been named and players are marking their positions. As it is obvious, during this time, local players and those playing in the International front reunite for training ahead of the competition.
For instance, Senegal.
Let’s have a look at Senegalese players who are expected to send teams tumbling.
After producing poor performances in the recent two international competition,s that is AFCON 2015 and World Cup 2018, Senegal will be approaching this year’s AFCON with full strength in a bid to find face again in Africa and the whole world.
In 2015, the West African team failed to progress past group stages after being overwhelmed by Ghana and Algeria, two teams in group C who proceeded to the quarter-finals.
Japan and Senegal having the same number of points, goal difference and goals scored, it came down to disciplinary record to decide the runners-up. Japan progressed with two fewer yellow cards than the African side.
Senegal will have two things to consider as they approach the oncoming competition; discipline and outstanding display.
The West African nation are bragging about having a Golden Boot winner as their killer captain. Let’s have a close look at some of Senegal players that will fly high their nation’s flag.
Sadio Mane
Sadio Mane is currently playing for Liverpool as a winger. He is one of the most treasured players at Anfield at the moment. He is valued at £76.50m. Together with Mohammed Salah and Roberto Firminho, Salah completes Liverpool attacking trio, that has caused teams sleepless nights especially in the season that has just ended.
Salah is known as a player with a commendable pace, strength and positive mentality. The red-hot player has helped Liverpool finish second in the Premier League with just one point behind the leaders Manchester City.
The 27-year-old was also featured in all the two matches against Barcelona where the Reds managed to thrash the Blaugrana in the Champions League semi-final.
Interestingly, Mane, alongside pierre-emerick aubameyang and Mohammed Salah scored 22 goals each, winning the Golden Boots award.
He has had a good form this season and is expected to do harm to any club he will meet.
Kalidou Koulibaly
Kalidou Koulibaly currently plays for Italian club Napoli as a centre-back. Koulibaly is also one of the most-valued players of Napoli and are currently one of the hottest properties in the transfer market. Big clubs like Manchester United among others have been actively linked with the centre-defender.
Koulibaly has played a special role at Napoli and has helped the club finish in the second position of the Serie A, 11 points behind aggressive Juventus.
With Koulibaly commanding Senegal defence, the opposing team will have to brace for a rigid wall, difficult to break.
Senegal’s full squad
Coach: Aliou Cisse
Goalkeepers: Abdoulaye Diallo (Rennes, France), Alfred Gomis (SPAL, Italy), Khadim Ndiaye (Horoya, Guinea);
Defenders: Lamine Gassama (Alanyaspor, Turkey), Saliou Ciss (Valenciennes, France), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli, Italy), Kara Mbodii (Anderlecht, Belgium), Youssouf Sabaly (Bordeaux, France), Salif Sane (Hannover, Germany), Moussa Wague (Eupen, Belgium);
Midfielders: Idrissa Gueye (Everton, England), Cheikhou Kouyate (West Ham United, England), Alfred Ndiaye (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Badou Ndiaye (Stoke City, England), Cheikh Ndoye (Birmingham City, England), Ismaila Sarr (Rennes, France);
Forwards: Keita Balde (Monaco, France), Mame Biram Diouf (Stoke City, England), Moussa Konate (Amiens, France), Sadio Mane (Liverpool, England), Mbaye Niang (Torino, Italy), Diafra Sakho (Rennes, France), Moussa Sow (Bursaspor, Turkey).