Binewa Team Profile: Senegal at the 2023 TotalEnergies AFCON
AFCON defending champions Senegal are ready to retain the most prestigious trophy on the continent, in Cote D’Ivoire – after having won the holy grail two years ago.
Nickname – ‘The Teranga Lions’
Teranga is a word that is heard a lot in Senegal. In wolof it means hospitality or welcoming generosity. It is quite distinct from Morocco’s Atlas Lion; which is a Panthera lion population in North Africa, and equally different from Cameroon’s Indomitable Lion, that signifies: strength, power, and rules.
Team Bio
The AFCON tournament finals in Cote Senegal’s 17th participation in 34 editions.
Senegal started their AFCON straight away with a bang, as they ended 4th in 1965, in their first time of asking.
The follow-up tourney hosted by Ethiopia saw Senegal crash out of group B with a win against Congo, and two defeats against group winners Ghana, and runners – up, Congo – Kinshasa.
Senegal missed out on 8 editions from 1970 – 1984, before making a frustrating return in 1986 in Egypt, where they still, bowed out at the group stage.
Subsequent tournaments from 1990-1994 saw Senegal make the quarter finals three times, with a fourth place finish in 1990.
The birth of the ‘new generation’ completely changed the history of Senegalese football from 2000 to 2002.
The 2000-2002 generation
21 years on, and that 2002 Senegalese side still has traces of supremacy lingering in hearts and minds.
Led by Frenchman Bruno Metsu, many believe if not for Cameroon’s monumental roster, history would have had another tail all together.
In 2002, the Teranga Lions lost to the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon (3-2) on penalty shootouts after a goalless stalemate in 120 minutes.
The team had the likes of: Omar Daf, Tony Silva, Aliou Cisse, Laminne Diatta, Ferdinand Coly, Khalilou Fadiga, Salif Diao, Papa Bouba Diop, Makhtar Ndiaye, Henri Camara, El Hadji Diouf and others, who carried that AFCON form to the 2002 World Cup.
The star-studded squad failed to click after a promising 2002 edition. Afterwards, the best return Diouf and teammates managed between 2004-2008, was a fourth place finish in 2006.
With its crop of players near – extinct in 2008, Senegal was on a building process, thus, missing out of the 2010 AFCON hosted by Angola.
The Indomitable Lions were on Senegal’s case again in 2017, booting them out via penalties in the quater-finals. That time, Sadio Mane the unfortunate had his penalty parried.
The next tournament in 2019 saw Senegal back in the final again. An early goal scored at the 2nd minute by Bounedjah, spoiled the party for Teranga.
Senegal finally AFCON winners
Placed in group B alongside: Zimbabwe, Guinea and Malawi, Senegal went on to win the group with 5 points in the AFCON 2021.
The men of Aliou Cisse went on to make light work of Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea and Burkina Faso, setting up an enthralling finale against Egypt.
Sadio Mane converted from the spot as Senegal ran out 4-2 winners against Egypt in the shootout. Mane redeemed himself after he couldn’t keep his cool in regular time to give Senegal the lead.
Coach
Aliou Cisse
The erstwhile Teranga Lions skipper likes quick, possession based football. His team makes a good watch on the eye, as they combine skill and physicality in their outings.
Road to the 2023 AFCON
Senegal were lodged in group L of the TotalEnergies 2023 AFCON that consisted of Mozambique, Benin and Rwanda.
Senegal and Mozambique, the group winners and runners-up respectively, qualified for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Senegal started its qualifications campaign against Benin on June 4, at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium, Dakar. Mane slammed a hat-trick as Senegal went on to win 3-1 on game day 1.
Mane got on the score sheet again, helping Senegal to a 1-0 victory against Rwanda on the road.
Successive wins against Mozambique (5-1, 0-1) followed by two one-all draws against Benin and Rwanda on games day 5 and 6 respectively, meant Senegal ended its campaign with 14 points.
Qualifications matches
Senegal 3–1 Benin
Mané 12′ (pen.), 22′, 60′ (pen.)//
Olaitan 88′
Rwanda 0–1 Senegal
Mané 90+8′ (pen.)
Senegal 5–1 Mozambique
Sabaly 9′
Mané 15′
Ndiaye 32′
Dia 39′
Diallo 88’//
Vilanculos 48′
Mozambique 0–1 Senegal
Dia 18′
Benin 1–1 Senegal
Moumini 78’//
Seck 43′
Senegal 1–1 Rwanda
Ma. Camara 66’//
Niyonzima 90+6′
Group standing after qualifications
Senegal 14 pts
Mozambique 10 pts
Benin 5 pts
Rwanda 3 pts
Players to watch
Pape Matar Sarr
21-year-old midfeilder Pape matar Sarr has basked in glory in his early season under Tottenham coach Angelos Postecoglou, playing 17 premier league games for one goal and two assists. Pape has the ability to play as a holding or attacking midfeilder, with an absolute wand of a left foot. Pape won the AFCON 2 years ago, however, he will look to be utilized much more in Cote D’Ivoire.
Sadio Mane
2022 CAF player of the year, Sadio Mane inspired Senegal to their first AFCON in 2021, and looks set to follow that up with another trophy this edition. Mane banged in 5 goals at the qualifiers, and the Al Nassr man just seems to be ageing like fine wine. Mane has so far scored 8 goals and assisted 4 times in the Saudi pro league so far this campaign.
Ismaila Sarr
Ismaila Sarr’s return to the Senegalese side last edition of the AFCON greatly acted as a boost of moral for the Teranga Lions. Now at French side Marseille, Sarr has contributed to four goals in 14 league 1 matches this season. The 25-year-old is a handful, and runs tirelessly down the channels. Sarr on his day is a box full of tricks.
Krepin Diatta
Monaco wide-man, Krepin Diatta has had a slow start for AS Monaco in the Ligue 1, but seems to burst into life when he wears the colors of Senegal. Keep an eye on the pace and purpose on Diatta’s attacks down the flanks.
Nampalys Mendy
Energetic Lens midfeilder Nampalys Mendy provides good shield for defenders. The 31-year-old former Leicester midfeilder picks up deep lying positions and takes up the important role of breaking up play.
Nicolas Jackson
22-year-old Nicolas Jackson has never been favorite as an out-and-out forward on Aliou Cisse’s books, but his recent status as poacher for Chelsea Football club, could unsettle the roster, which has Boulaye Dia top of the ranks.
Jackson’s 7 premier league goals for Chelsea have not been enough to rescue a dismal campaign for the Blues so far. Jackson is yet to win a major competition with Senegal, and he has been limited to just 6 appearances since 2022.
Coach
2022 CAF coach of the year, Aliou Cisse is still the man at the helm for Senegalese senior men’s national team.
Aliou has built a real machine around him, and it is glaring with performances in previous competitions. The tactician ultimately won the AFCON in 2021, after ending up as beaten finalist in 2019. At the Qatar World Cup last year, Aliou marshalled Senegal to the round of 16s, before a 3-0 defeat to England.
Aliou Cisse is assisted by Frenchman Regis Bogaert, with Naby Traore acting as second assistant, and Tony Sylva as goalkeeper coach.
The erstwhile Teranga Lions skipper likes quick possession based football. His team makes a good watch on the eye, as they combine skill and physicality in their outings.
AFCON matches (Group C)
Senegal kick-off their title defense with a tricky fixture against Gambia on June 15 at the Stade Charles Konan Banny de Yamoussoukro.
Up next is a repeat of the 2002 AFCON final against the indomitable Lions on January 19, and Guinea will be Senegal’s last group C game on January 23rd.
