There is a silent optimism around the team bettering its quarterfinal performance from 2002 by becoming the first African semifinalist.
Senegal will fancy their chances heading into the FIFA World Cup in Qatar next month.
Why is this so?
Because of the plethora of talent of Senegalese nationality plying their trade across Europe’s top leagues.
This had led to many pundits professing that this is the best ever African team to go to a World Cup. There is a silent optimism around the team bettering its quarterfinal performance from 2002 by becoming the first African semifinalist.
Obviously Sadio Mane, formerly of Liverpool and now with Bayern Munich is the first Senegalese name on everyone’s lips but remember, there is a stellar supporting cast that includes goalkeeper Eduoard Mendy, defender Kalidou Koulibaly, midfielders Idrissa Gueye and Cheikhou Kouyate as well as striker Ismaila Sarr.
The Lions of Teranga do have the quality and in February this year won their first major title when they defeated Egypt to lift the Africa Cup of Nations.
They have a somewhat manageable campaign as they face Netherlands, hosts Qatar and Ecuador in Group A action and their bare minimum will be advancement to the round of 16, after which they can dare to dream of progressing further in the tournament as they to better their debut performance when they stunned champions France en route to reaching the quarters, becoming only the second ever African side to attain that feat.
Aliou Cisse, the captain of the class of 2002 has been in charge of Senegal since 2015 and will be out to lead the side to great success in Qatar