The U17 World Cup Round of 8 clash between Senegal and France is generating a lot of excitement in the land of Teranga. Although it's only an Under-17 match, the colonial history of the two countries and the Lions' historic victory in the opening match of the 2002 World Cup explain the Senegalese fans' keen interest in taking on the French team. Whatever the discipline or category.
With only a few hours to go before France take on Senegal in the U17 World Cup Round of 8, Senegalese fans are in a frenzy of anticipation. Facing France seems to be an invaluable source of self-transcendence for the country of Teranga. This should be the case once again for Serigne Saliou Dia and his squad. The Senegalese coach is likely to use this leverage to boost his squad, perhaps affected by the loss of his leader, Amara Diouf (he is uncertain). For fans in Dakar, beating France is not an option.
Play it like 2002
France-Senegal is an unusual match-up in sport, let alone soccer.When we try to find the reasons for the Senegalese fans' excitement, the time machine takes us back to the morning of May 31, 2002.In the opening match of the World Cup in Korea and Japan, Senegal, led by their 21-year-old prodigy El Hadji Ousseynou Diouf, caused an earthquake by beating Thierry Henry's France, the reigning world champions, 1-0. An unforgettable success for all Senegalese.
Fatim Dème is a Senegalese fan who was barely ten years old at the time of Senegal's triumph in 2002. She seems to love France-Senegal matches. There's a difference between beating France and beating any other nation," she concedes. It's always a pleasure to face France, the nation that colonized us.We have a personal history with them.We also have a sporting history with France. Our Cubs are galvanized and deep down I know they'll rise to the challenge. They have to beat France to achieve their dream. They have to beat France to tell themselves they've done what their 'daddies' did at the 2002 World Cup," she told Sport News Africa.
As for Astou Thiam, she was even younger than her compatriot Fatim. "As a fan, I would have liked to avoid France (reigning European runners-up), but as a Senegalese I'm excited about the match.Historically, France was the country that colonized Senegal, so just like in 2002, we're always keen to beat France. It's a kind of "historic" revenge. If I, as a fan, am already hyper-motivated to challenge France, I imagine that feeling is multiplied tenfold for the team in Indonesia", confessed the young supporter.
A colonial history
The match of May 31, 2002 is a must in this "rivalry" between France and Senegal.But it is not the only explanation. There are historical reasons behind this fervor. A victory against France will never be the same for us Senegalese," concedes Astou Thiam. A victory against France is a historic revenge, the revenge of the former colony, Senegal, on the French colonial power.This victory always goes beyond the purely footballing aspect," she explained.
Reasons that resonate with all Senegalese, who love the clashes between their teams and those of France. Duels that are rare on the sporting field, but that fans of the Senegal A team clamor for on social networks. The Senegalese Football Federation is often called upon to arrange another clash between these two teams. At the World Cup in Qatar, many fans loudly proclaimed their desire to be in the same group as the 2018 world champions.
Les Bleuets favourites against the amputee Cubs
Between the excitement and the desire, there is also the fear of being eliminated. Opposite them, France's U17 team is impressing after concluding the 1st round with 3 wins in as many games."It's a mouth-watering encounter between France, the favourites, and Senegal, 2nd in their group, who come as outsiders. France, with 0 goals conceded in 3 matches, have a lot of certainties and preferential circuits," commented Mounir Sonko, who remains optimistic for the Lionceaux."It's a very strong French team with players from PSG, Lille and OM. But that doesn't mean anything. It's a soccer match where we'll have to fight hard and give it our all. I'm sure the Cubs will have their chances in this match".
Reasons that resonate with all Senegalese, who love the clashes between their teams and those of France. Duels that are rare on the sporting field, but that fans of the Senegal A team clamor for on social networks. The Senegalese Football Federation is often called upon to arrange another clash between these two teams. At the World Cup in Qatar, many fans loudly proclaimed their desire to be in the same group as the 2018 world champions.
All the stars will have to align to see Senegal qualify for the quarter-finals. The Lion Cubs may have lost Serigne Diouf (goalkeeper) and especially 15-year-old nugget Amara Diouf to injury against Japan. This has left Mounir Sonko worried."The big question is whether we'll have Serigne Diouf and Amara Diouf. Senegal have to tell themselves that France are the favourites, choose to give them the ball, run for each other and be prepared to suffer. We'll have to make the most of the rare chances we get and take advantage of France's ball losses. Burkina Faso didn't look ridiculous against this French team (1st day, group phase), missing opportunities to score. They paid dearly for it in the second half," he recalled. According to our information, Senegal are set to welcome back goalkeeper Serigne Diouf, who took part in the Lionceaux U17s' last training session. However, Idrissa Guèye's team-mates will be without their captain Amara Diouf. The Génération Foot striker, who scored twice in the 2-1 win over Argentina (Matchday 1, group phase), should play again if Senegal reach the semi-finals. This Wednesday at 12:00 GMT, Senegal will attempt to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in their history, after reaching the last eight for the first time in 2019 (losing 1-2 to Spain).
