The Senegal national football team, nicknamed the Lions of Teranga , is the national team of Senegal and is controlled by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football.
Currently ranked at position 32 in the world by FIFA,the Africa’s top team is coached by former national team player Aliou Cisse. Cheikhou Kouyaté serves as the team captain.
History
Senagal hosted the 1992 African Nations Cup which became disappointing outing considering the fact that they were the hosts,failing to get past group stages.
In their first match they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Nigeria and went ahead to thrash Harambee Stars 3-0 .This was the only victory the home fans celebrated as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in the last eight.
Then came Tunisia 1994 edition, Lions of Teranga sailed again upto the quarters. Zambia Chipolopolo ended the Lions of Teranga’s hopes at the Stade Olympique de Sousse on a 1-0 score line. The Zambians went on to clinch silver medals while Nigeria won gold.
The 2002 African Cup of Nations Senegal reached the finals.On their way they defeated Congo DR before recording a dramatic extra-time victory over Nigeria in the semifinals. The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon were too strong to daunt in the final as Senegal lost 2-3 on penalties in front of 50,000 spectators at the Stade 26 mars.
The Senegalese had their low moments in 2010 when they failed to qualify for the tournament that was hosted by Angola.
2008,2012 and 2015 were another years of disspointment for Lions of Teranga when they crashed in first round.
Afcon 2017 pairing
They shouldn’t have a problem to qualify from their group. While the Algeria may pose the biggest challenge, Tunisia and Zimbabwe could provide everything Senegal need to reach the quarterfinals.
From there, the Lions of Teranga would have to be alert. Every game is a final in the knockout stages of a competition.
Squad Overview
The Lions of Teranga boasts of one of the most impressive attacks attacks at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations mashalled by Metz star Ismaila Sarr, Lazio’s Keita Diao, and Mame Birame Diouf of Stoke City.
The man of the moment for the squad is undoubtely Mane who has taken the English Premier League by storm scoring 8 goals for Liverpool this season.
In-form Moussa Sow from Turkish giants Fenerbahce, Napoli defender Kalidou Coulibaly and Lazio’s Keita Balde Diao are among the mix that will provide sparks in the Africa biggest football showcase.
Senegal are in action on 15 January against Tunisia before facing Algeria and Zimbabwe in Group B
Key Player
24-year-old Sadio Mane was the highest scorer for his club Livepool with nine goals in 19 appaerances.
At the national team he has also been shinning with so far having bagged ten goals at international level.The striker has been a revelation this season and unsurprisingly he is one of the players expected to light up the tournament.
Senegal’s Afcon 2017 squad:
Goalkeepers: Khadim N’Diaye (Horoya AC, Guinea), Abdoulaye Diallo (Çaykur Rizespor, Turkey), Pape Seydou N’Diaye (ASC Niarry Tally)
Defenders: Lamine Gassama (Alanyaspor, Turkey), Cheikh M’Bengue (Saint-Etienne, France), Kara Mbodj (Anderlecht, Belgium), Zargo Toure (Lorient, France), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli, Italy), Saliou Ciss (Valenciennes, France)
Midfielders: Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton, England), Cheikhou Kouyate (West Ham, England), Cheikh N’Doye (Angers, France), Papakouli Diop (Espanyol, Spain), Henri Saivet (Saint Etienne, France), Papa Alioune Ndiaye (Osmanlıspor, Turkey), Mohamed Diame (Newcastle, England)
Forwards: Sadio Mane (Liverpool England), Keita Balde Diao (Lazio, Italy), Moussa Konate (FC Sion, Switzerland), Famara Diedhiou (Angers, France), Mame Biram Diouf (Stoke, England), Ismaila Sarr (Metz, France), Moussa Sow (Fenerbahce,
