World Cup 2022 – Senegal: Is Qatar an oasis for Bamba Dieng?
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With Sadio Mané ruled out by a knee injury, the make-up of Senegal's front three will be reshuffled at this World Cup in Qatar. Ismaila Sarr, Boulaye Dia, Famara Diedhiou, Iliman Ndiaye, Nicolas Jackson and Bamba Dieng will compete to form the starting trio.
A dream opportunity for Bamba Dieng?
This is arguably a dream opportunity for the Senegalese, Bamba Dieng, not only to try to establish himself in the attack of the Lions of Teranga, but also to win over his club coach, Igor Tudor, to a greater degree.
With his move to OGC Nice collapsing after the medical, Dieng has endured a very difficult start to the season at Olympique de Marseille. He struggled to get any minutes in Ligue 1. The 22-year-old was quite simply a bench-warmer in the Marseille squad.
The Senegalese made his first appearance in Marseille colours in round 10 of Ligue 1 (OM-Ajaccio), where he got just 17 minutes on the pitch. In round 13, the African champion made his first start of the season for OM, an important match that he made memorable with a superb goal in the eighth minute.
Although he has been getting more playing time over the past few weeks, young Dieng is still in a delicate position at OM. While the Marseille president, Pablo Longoria, speaks of a possible contract extension for the Pikine native, nothing guarantees him a place in the starting line-up for the rest of the season.
Shining to avoid being forgotten
Despite his difficult situation at Olympique de Marseille, Bamba Dieng has always had the backing of Senegal head coach Aliou Cissé. Even so, in 13 caps, the Pikine player has made only one start.
This World Cup in Qatar will therefore be a golden opportunity for Bamba Dieng to shine and try to catch the eye of other European clubs in the next transfer window. This bid to revive the young striker's fortunes should get under way tonight, as Senegal begin their campaign in the world's premier competition. The Lions of Teranga face the Netherlands in a few hours (16:00 GMT) at the Al Thumama Stadium.