Senegal will take part in its 3rd World Cup of soccer in Qatar (November 20 - December 18). For their 2nd World Cup in a row, the Lions of Teranga have great ambitions, after winning the first African Cup of Nations in their history. Sport News Africa has taken the pulse of Senegalese fans on the players and teams they fear and especially their expectations and objectives for their selection in this tournament.
Is this the right year to break the glass roof of 1⁄4 finals for African teams at the World Cup? In Dakar, the Senegalese capital, it seems that people still believe in it for Senegal. Despite the hard blows taken in recent days. On Saturday, the day after the publication of the list of 26 Senegalese players, it is generally positive among the fans.
In 2022, nothing resists Senegal
The excitement is still palpable in the streets around the famous Sandaga market. With 8 days to go before the start of the World Cup, the Waxalé (haggling in Wolof) is going well for the jerseys of the Senegalese national team. Seller of jerseys and accessories in Sandaga, Khadim Amar shows to SNA his confidence in his team. "The excitement is still very present in Senegal with the confidence brought back from Cameroon, he says. The title of African champion has passed through there. Just look at how the business of jerseys and accessories is developing. It is something that we feel we are in the market, " says the owner of Shop 221.
Spotted in Sandaga for his purchases before flying to the World Cup, the mascot of the Lions, Aliou Ngom aka "Paco Senegal Rek" informs us about the premonitory signs of a final victory of Senegal in Qatar. "In 1992, our country had hosted the AFCON. A decade later, Senegal qualified for its first World Cup in 2002. Ten years later in 2012, Senegal has a new president of the Republic. And now from 2012 to 2022, Senegal wins the AFCON for the first time. It is a premonition with the 2 which is a lucky number for Senegal, " he said.
He does not give up and adds to his victorious premonition. "We have also qualified for the first time for a 2nd World Cup in a row in 2022. And it will be played during this year 2022. We fans just want to go to Qatar and win a new trophy this year because we will be again in 2022 for the final", "Paco" is convinced.
Sadio Mané's injury, a hard blow far from being prohibitive
Present among the 26 players of the list of Aliou Cissé, Sadio Mané could potentially miss the competition. Not enough to shake the confidence in our friends of the Sandaga market. "The injury of Sadio has still somewhat thrown the cold among most Senegalese, acknowledges Khadim Amar. But it can be a source of additional motivation for other players. It is an opportunity for them to show that even without Sadio, Senegal remains Senegal. And that with Sadio, Senegal is much stronger. We wish him a good recovery and that he comes back quickly because Sadio remains a key part of our team" he hopes.
Mounass Ndongo's opinion is more moderate. This commercial agent, specialized in business law and unconditional fan of soccer remains measured since the injury of the number 10 of the Lions. "Senegal is very expected in this World Cup. We are the African champion team and we have very good players, playing in the best leagues of the world. However, our ambition which was to go to the semi-final, will be a rather complicated mission. Especially with the injury of Sadio Mané. We will have to find a new system because it was a key element in the device of Aliou Cissé, "she said.
Mounass remains doubtful about the adaptability of the coach to find new alternatives in anticipation of the inevitable Sadio Mané. "We will have another system where we will rely on another striker, she thinks. This has not happened for a long time. That said, we still have our chances to go to the second round and to fight for the quarter finals or the last four (of the World Cup). Senegal can still claim to make a very good participation but it will not be easy", reassures Mounass Ndongo.
Senegal faces the favorites for the title
Khadim Amar (Vendor at Sandaga market)
Qualified for the third time in its history in the World Cup, Senegal continues to grow in the concert of the great nations of world soccer. A feat that welcomes the mascot of the Senegalese teams. "This is the 3rd World Cup for Senegal after the brilliant journey in 2002. And the participation no less honorable in 2018. We return this year and for me it is already a satisfaction. It is a global competition that involves only 32 countries. And Senegal has the honor to be part of it. The other thing is to go with a coach born here (in Senegal). So the whole thing is 100% Senegal," boasted "Paco Senegal Rek.
Often successful against renowned opponents in its history at the World Cup, Senegal will face stiff competition to hope to create the sensation and become the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. "We have the potential with the players we have to get there," insists "Paco". As the mascot of the Senegalese teams, I believe in our chances and I invite the Senegalese to believe in them too. It is necessary that for the first time, Africans are convinced that they can also win the World Cup.
As for Mounass Ndongo, she must hope without a doubt that the Lions will not have to face some players and teams that she fears. "Messi, Neymar and Mbappé, the MNM trio of PSG for example, are three players we should fear in this competition," she confides. The Brazilian team is interchangeable and very strong. They are the team I fear the most. There are great expectations on the Seleção and I think it is a team that will go far in this tournament. But Argentina can also create a surprise.
Sound of bell completely opposite for Aliou Ngom alias "Paco Senegal Rék". "We do not fear any team in this World Cup, he says with pride. Who goes to war and dies, I think it's an act of suicide. Senegal should not fear any team and have no complex in front of any player" he boasted. A war in which the band to Aliou can count on reinforcements of size.
"We, the 12th Gaïndé, with our performance in 2018 which earned us to be ranked 2nd among the best supporters in Russia, we want to do more. We will proudly wear our colors, we will put the atmosphere in Qatar in union with the supporters of Allez-Casa and ASC LEBOUGUI to push Senegal to victory."
