Sadio Mane will lead a Star studded Senegal side to their first World cup in 16 years. On Paper, Senegal are the strongest African team at the world cup. Aliou Cisse had the luxury of leaving Everton Striker Omar Niasse and former Chelsea forward Demba Ba because of the talent available at his disposal.
How They Qualified
Senegal were one of three African teams to go through qualifying unbeaten, emerging from a group featuring South Africa, Cape Verde and Burkina Faso with four wins and two draws from their six matches. That’s not to say their journey to the finals was devoid of drama.
A 2-1 defeat to the South Africans in their second game was later annulled, when the Ghanaian referee was found to have manipulated the match by awarding a penalty for a nonexistent handball. Aliou Cisse’s team then drew their next two games with Burkino Faso before getting back on track with a 2-0 win in Cape Verde. Qualification was duly secured with a 2-0 victory in the rescheduled match with South Africa in Polokwane.
Of the 10 goals the Lions of Teranga scored in Group D, only striker Diafra Sakho and midfielder Cheikh N’Doye contributed more than one. Their success was largely built on a solid backline which conceded three goals and kept four clean sheets. The forward line will need to function better if Senegal are to make an impact in Russia.
Star Man
Liverpool forward Sadio Mane enjoyed another outstanding season in England, helping the Reds finish in the Premier League’s top four and reach the Champions League final, where he scored and hit the post in a 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid. Blessed with electric pace, superb technique and ruthless finishing, the Senegalese star never gives opposition defenders a moment’s respite.
World Cup Record
The Teranga Lions are only making their second appearance at the world cup. in their maiden appearance in 2002, Senegal beat holders France on their way to the quarter finals, the highest level ever achieved by an African team.
Mane and co will hope to at least match the heroics of the 2002 side. But to do that, they must get out of a tricky group that consists of Colombia, Japan and Poland.