Senegal will face Zimbabwe in Africa Cup of Nations Group B match day two at Stade de Franceville this evening.
This will be the eighth meeting for the both teams with Zimbabwe having won more matches that their West Africa opponents.While no draws have been recorded between the two teams,Zimbabwe has won 4 while Senegal have won three matches.
The last time the two teams met was again at the Afcon finals where Senegal recorded a 2-0 victory.But the most remembered occasion was in 1986 that will rickindle memories of the heaviest loss Warriors suffered at Africa Cup of Nations.
It was a challenge to watch this competition as it was era before internet streams and mass football broadcasting in Africa.
Tonight occasion will be bringing into the light of a one man Jules Bocande who steered Senegal to victory in an epic Afcon qualifying game against Zimbabwe in which he tormented Zimbabwean international centre back Ernest Mutano, Bocande went on to score 3 goals to qualify Senegal for the 1986 Africa Cup of Nations after 21 years not being able to qualify for the African two yearly Football Festival.
Bocande’s miraculous goals during that game earned him fame and respect in Senegal and across all Africa since. He went on that same year to earn the golden boot of the French Premier League under the colours of Metz.
The memorable match was played at Demba Diop stadium in Dakar.Today’s clash at Afcon comes 18 years after the death of the hero and the Lions will be looking at way to charge at the Warriors who are out to make a hunt.
When Bocandé performed his heroics , none of the 23 current players at the den were born. But they certainly heard about his history and his patriotic commitment.
Bocande died at the age of 53 on May 2012 after having been unwell for months and died following surgery in France.
Today, it is up to them to write a new page of Senegalese football by referring to the testimonies of their coaches (Cissé, Daf, Diatta and Tony) who lived with the man in the den when Senegalese football was at it peak in year 2002.
At the 2005 Africa Cup of Nation, Senegal qualified to second round after a 2-0 win against Zimbabwe.That date was January 22, 2006 and with three points, the Lions of Teranga went on to meet Nigeria.
Currently it should be noted that Zimbabwe are at their best having only lost one match aganist Guinea in September out of their ten games that they have played from January 2016 to date.
Recent developments have made AFCON finals and qualifiers viewing much simpler across the World. Today’s match will be carried by various networks available on cable TV, a development that some would never foresee 30 years ago. Despite this, nostalgia ensures the today encounter continues to rank above all.
