There is something different about this Senegal side, certainly enough to spark hope that they could make a great leap in Qatar.
If Ghana in 2010 was one side to make a lasting impact on a World Cup this century, Senegal’s 2002 team that shocked champions France and reached the quarter-finals is the other example of what can be achieved, but they are no longer the standout vintage in their own nation.
The Teranga Lions have received a kind group at the 2022 FIFA World Cup . There will be a straight shootout between Senegal and Netherlands for top spot and if they can claim a result against Louis van Gaal’s side, they may become the first African country since Nigeria in 1998 to top their group. It would help avoid a potential meeting with England in the knockout stages and from there, history and the chance to emulate the 2002 team .
For that, Aliou Cisse is the link. Captain 20 years ago in South Korea and Japan, manager in Qatar, as he was in Russia. Although Senegal sometimes struggled to sparkle throughout the Africa Cup of Nations – they required a 97th minute Mane penalty to defeat Zimbabwe, before they drew with Guinea and Malawi in the group stages – this is a team who have been bolstered by discovering what it takes to be winners. In Qatar, that could take them a long way.
Here is everything you need to know:
Group fixtures (all times EAT)
Monday 21 November: Senegal vs Netherlands – 16:00
Friday 25 November: Qatar vs Senegal – 13:00
Tuesday 29 November: Ecuador vs Senegal – 15:00
Predicted squad
Goalkeepers: Seny Dieng (QPR), Alfred Gomis (Rennes), Edouard Mendy (Chelsea)
Defenders: Pape Abou Cisse (Olympiacos), Fode Ballo-Toure (Milan), Abdou Diallo (RB Leipzig), Ismail Jakobs (Monaco), Kalidou Koulibaly (Chelsea), Formose Mendy (Amiens), Moussa Niakhate (Nottingham Forest), Bouna Sarr (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: Pathe Ciss (Rayo Vallecano), Krepin Diatta (Monaco), Idrissa Gueye (Everton), Pape Gueye (Marseille), Cheikhou Kouyate (Nottingham Forest), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham), Nampalys Mendy (Leicester), Moustapha Name (Patos), Boubakary Soumare (Leicester)
Forwards: Boulaye Dia (Salernitana), Famara Diédhiou (Alanyaspor), Bamba Dieng (Marseille), Sadio Mane (Bayern Munich), Iliman Ndiaye (Sheffield United), Ismaila Sarr (Watford)
Ones to watch
Star – Sadio Mane: ‘Star’ doesn’t quite cover the level of Mane’s impact in Senegal. Already the scorer of the most important penalty in Senegal history, Mane then did it again to send his country through to the World Cup, in the process reaching an ethereal level of superstardom in his homeland that was already boosted by his imperious form at the end of last season.
The runner-up in this year’s Ballon d’Or – he could well have been only the second African winner had Liverpool defeated Real Madrid in the Champions League final – Mane has grown significantly since 2018 and developed an outstanding sense of how to deliver in the big moments. As always a delightful player to watch, Qatar could be his stage.
Breakout talent – Boulaye Dia: Senegal will have one of the older squads and starting line-ups in Qatar – the team that began the Africa Cup of Nations final had an average age of 30 – while Aliou Cisse’s side also have an overeliance on Mane for goals. However the 25-year-old striker Dia can help solve both of those potential issues at the World Cup. A scorer in the Champions League semi-finals for Villarreal last season, Dia only has three goals for his country but will likely lead the line for the Lions. If he finds form it will be both a boost to Senegal and Dia’s burgeoning career.
