African champions Senegal represent the continent’s best chance this year. If the Africa Cup of Nations is anything to judge them by, Senegal start slowly and find their rhythm as the competition advances.

However, a rapid start will be required to pillage the high-flying Dutch in their group opener.

This is only Senegal’s third appearance at the World Cup finals. They impressed in 2002 when they advanced from a group that contained France and went on to reach the quarter-finals, but underperformed in 2018, when they were eliminated in the group stage.

The bookmakers will have The Netherlands on top of this group, but for Senegal, it could be the game against Ecuador that is the most crucial to their hopes of progressing to the next round.

Star player

Senegal had a major scare  after Bayern Munich destroyed Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga. Sadio Mane was forced off after just 20 minutes of the game. French newspaper L’Equipe reported that the African player of the year was out of the World Cup, and while Bayern Munich assistant manager Dino Toppmoeller said the injury was “not too bad”, multiple reports have confirmed that Mane is a major doubt for Senegal’s World Cup campaign.

However it should be noted that coach Aliou Cisse cannot afford to ommit Mane from the 26-man squad as he is so important both on and off the team inspiring every moment for Teranga Lions

While he will be a big miss for the African champions, they still have their star defender Kalidou Koulibaly and striker Boulaye Dia, who has 7 goal contributions in 12 games in Serie-A for Salernitana this season.

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com