Key gamers, accidents, ways & event prediction

Senegal head right into a second consecutive look on the World Cup because the reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions.

No nation from Africa made it by means of to the final 16 in Russia 4 years in the past, however Senegal are extensively fancied to advance from their group and attain the knockout phases this time round.

Plenty of Senegal’s gamers are taking part in in Europe’s largest leagues, and there is as a lot pleasure round this aspect as there ever has been; the Lions of Teranga have solely ever appeared within the World Cup twice prior to now.

Here’s what to anticipate from them on the 2022 World Cup.

Senegal supervisor Aliou Cisse will announce his remaining World Cup squad on November 11.

Bayern Munich’s Bouna Sarr is a possible absentee for Senegal, however the headline information is that his membership teammate and nationwide icon Sadio Mane can be set to overlook the event.

Mane limped off 20 minutes into Bayern’s penultimate sport earlier than the beginning of the event, and it is thought {that a} tendon harm will stop him from that includes in Qatar.

Official affirmation remains to be to come back, however his absence can be a catastrophic blow.

Sadio Mane

Senegal’s finest participant is fairly straightforward to determine as a result of he is additionally among the finest gamers on the planet – evidenced by his second-placed end on the 2022 Ballon d’Or awards.

Mane has 93 worldwide caps and 34 objectives to his identify for Senegal, however his crowning glory second got here in 2021 when lifting the Africa Cup of Nations. At membership stage, he has been one in all Liverpool’s biggest threats for the previous half a dozen years, and is now the star flip in Bayern Munich’s formidable assault.

Kalidou Koulibaly

Kalidou Koulibaly is Senegal’s rock in central defence, and their possibilities of making the final 16 will rely vastly on his stage of efficiency.

The Chelsea star is treading new floor within the Premier League with Chelsea and his expertise of taking part in on the highest stage might assist Senegal within the massive moments.

Edouard Mendy

Edouard Mendy is among the world’s most excellent goalkeepers, although he has misplaced his manner in latest instances at membership stage.

Replaced by Kepa Arrizabalaga as Chelsea’s primary, Mendy will really feel he has a degree to show for Senegal – and what higher stage to do it than the largest one in all all.

Idrissa Gueye

Idrissa Gueye has been a midfield stalwart for Senegal over the previous decade, and is closing in on 100 caps for his nation.

In reality, Gueye, who just lately returned to Everton after a stint at Paris Saint-Germain, might attain the landmark look determine if Senegal attain the knockout phases – clear incentive for him to be at his best possible for Aliou Cisse.

Aliou Cisse has usually favoured a 4-3-3 setup throughout his time as Senegal boss, and there isn’t any purpose to assume he will not proceed with the successful formulation.

Sadio Mane’s possible absence can be an enormous blow, however might characterize an enormous alternative for Iliman Ndiaye – who has been performing nicely for Sheffield United this season.

Senegal predicted XI: Mendy; Sabaly, Koulibaly, Diallo, Ballo-Toure; Gueye, Mendy, Sarr; Sarr, Dia, Ndiaye.

Senegal’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations success was truly held throughout this calendar yr, so it has been a fairly good 12 months for them.

Victory over Egypt of their World Cup play-off was one other big feather of their camp, they usually’ve gained all however one in all their subsequent AFCON qualifiers.

Senegal’s final 5 outcomes (all competitions)

Senegal 1-1 Eswatani (10-9 pens)
Zambia 4-3 Senegal
Mozambique 1-1 Senegal (2-4 pens)
Senegal 2-0 Bolivia
Senegal 1-1 Iran

There’s a whole lot of optimism surroudning Senegal forward of the World Cup for numerous causes.

Not solely have they got numerous proficient gamers and a supervisor who is aware of easy methods to set them up, they’ve additionally been handed a comparatively type draw, solely needing to attain extra factors than Qatar and Ecuador to succeed in the final 16.

They ought to be capable of do this, however will in all probability end second to the Netherlands and due to this fact face England (perhaps) within the subsequent spherical. While they’d actually have an opportunity in opposition to Gareth Southgate’s males, beating them is possibly too massive a activity – significantly with out Mane.

Prediction: Round of 16