World Cup 2022: hangover for the champions of Africa

Fallen hopes

A difficult morning in Dakar, the Senegalese capital, the day after Senegal were knocked out by England in the round of 16 of the football World Cup. The disappointment matched the hopes raised before this prestigious clash between the champions of Africa and the runners-up of Europe. Yet confidence was running high among the thousands of supporters who had packed into the fan zone at the African Renaissance Monument.

"We're very confident, even though England are a formidable team. But I think Senegal will win 3-1 with a double from Iliman", said Abdourahmane Diallo, a young Senegalese supporter who had come with friends to cheer on the Lions of Senegal. Reassured by Senegal's solid start and England's struggles in attack, the fans saw their hopes growing by the minute. They were on the verge of celebrating when Boulaye Dia, set up neatly by Ismaïla Sarr, came within a whisker of opening the scoring, only for England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to keep him out with a firm hand.

Just before half-time, two defensive lapses allowed Jordan Henderson and Harry Kane to land two hammer blows that dashed Senegal's hopes. Confidence quickly gave way to despair among the Senegalese supporters as England went in 2 goals ahead at the break. It was the bitter end when Bukayo Saka scored England's 3rd goal, which definitively ended Senegal's hopes of a 2nd quarter-final, 20 years after the first at the 2002 World Cup. With more than half an hour of normal time still to play, some were already in tears, while others looked crestfallen.

Pride in a heroic run

For the first time in their history, Senegal lost a cup match by more than two goals. Despite the scale of the defeat, most of the supporters who made the trip to the African Renaissance Monument acknowledged the opposition's superiority and hailed the run of their "heroes". "We went down fighting," said Seynabou Sambou, her voice full of emotion. "England were better than us but I'm proud of our Lions. I'm especially proud of Aliou Cissé, who took a fair amount of criticism before the tournament", she added.

Although he regretted some of the coach's decisions, Mamadou Coulibaly shared the same view. "Let's admit England were well on top tonight (Sunday). Even if I don't understand starting Krépin Diatta, who was never at his best at this World Cup. It unbalanced Senegal a lot in midfield", he said. Pride was nonetheless the most widely shared feeling in the Senegalese capital this Monday. As it was for captain Kalidou Koulibaly at the final whistle. "We are proud of our run", he said proudly.

England's superiority in the match made the disappointment easier to swallow. This Monday morning, people quickly slipped back into their daily routine. Even the local dailies, usually sharp and uncompromising the day after a defeat, kept a measured tone. Stades, the sports daily, ran with: "the step was too high", alongside Sadio Mané's message of encouragement: "You went down fighting ". Or: "The English bring the Lions back down to earth" on the front page of the general-interest daily Vox Pop.

Moustapha M. SADIO