AFCON 2021: The Teranga Lions Seek Indomitability In Cameroon

Fun fact; the Teranga Lions of Senegal are the only national selection on the continent with the ‘Lion’ nickname, yet to win the Africa Cup of Nations. Two others: Cameroon and Morocco have won it half a dozen times (6), with Cameroon winning 5.

Nickname – ‘The Teranga Lions’

Teranga is a word that we hear a lot in Senegal. It’s a Wolof word, meaning hospitality or welcoming generosity. It is quite distinct from Morocco’s Atlas; gotten from the Barbary lion which is a Panthera lion population in North Africa, and unlike the Indomitable Lions,
signifying: strength, power, and rules. Indomitable means unable to defeat.

Team Bio

Senegal is a country in western parts of Africa with an Atlantic Ocean coastline.

The AFCON tournament finals in Cameroon will be the county’s 16th participation out of 33 editions.

Senegal started their AFCON straight away with a bang, as they ended 4th in 1965, which was 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, embedded between, a fourth place finish in 1990.

The birth of a certain ‘golden generation’ and an introduction of expatriates completely changed the history of Senegalese football from 2000 to 2002.

The golden generation

19 years on, and that most feared 2002 Senegal side still have traces of supremacy lingering in hearts and minds. Led by Frenchman Bruno Metsu, many believe if not of Cameroon’s monumental roster, history would have had another tail all together.

Back in 2002, the Teranga Lions lost to the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon 3-2 in a penalty shootout after a goalless stalemate in 120 minutes.

Amady Faye, Aliou Cisse and El Hadji Diouf were guilty for missing penalties

Testament to the mouthwatering talent in that badge, consisting 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, was Senegal’s run in the 2002 World Cup.

The fine grain of players however failed to click after a promising 2002 edition. The best return Diouf and teammates managed between 2004-2008, was a fourth place finish in 2006.

With her crop of players near – extinct in 2008, Senegal was on the way to 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. That time, Sadio Mane the unfortunate player player who had his effort 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.

Coach

Senegal is managed by former skipper Aliou Cisse. Aliou has built a real machine around him, and it is glaring with the last two competitions he has walked at, with Senegal. The tactician lives the pain of a player who failed, and as such, he’s fired up to wear a winners medal as a trainer. Senegal’s Football Federation extended the latter’s contract – till 2021, with an ultimate goal of winning the AFCON.

Aliou likes quick, possession based football. His Senegal side is a good watch on the eye, as they combine skill and physicality in their outings.

Road to the AFCON

Senegal qualified top of group I with 14 points in 6 games. They opened their campaign in November 2019 with a two – nil win over Congo. They proceeded with a four – one bashing of Eswatini. Then, Cisse and his charges went on to win Guinea Bissau (2-0,) before defeating Guinea Bissau again in the reversed fixture (1-0). Senegal ended her campaign on a low, with two draws against Eswatini and Congo, but they had already done enough.

Players To Watch

Senegal has a sulking wet roster filled with talents who could make other teams without a doubt.

Edouard Mendy

Strikers win games, likewise goalkeepers. Edouard Mendy is fresh from participating in the ballon D’or award, which many believed he was supposed to scoop the Lev Yashin trophy, especially as he was statistically better than Gianluigi Donnarumma. He will be pivotal and with him, Senegal has a chance even in the lottery of penalties – that has hunted them in the competition severally.

Kalidou Koulibaly

Napoli skipper and defense wall – Kalidou Koulibaly is arguably the best defender in Italy. The left footed center half is strong in all spheres of the game; passing, timing tackles and aerial duels. The 30 – year – old is one who will need to bring his A game if Senegal are to get an illusive first AFCON title.

Idrissa Gana Gueye

Former Evertonian and now PSG star – Gana Gueye, is a mainstay for Senegal in the middle of the park. Gueye, 32, is a central midfeilder who could defend, attack, and get amongst the goals. Gueye has scored 4 goals in 14 outings for PSG this season, as well as 6 in 84 caps for Senegal – since 2011.

Ismaïla Sarr

Ismaïla Sarr was in blistering form in the qualifiers. The youngster has proven loads that he can be the go – to – guy from the wings with his pace and trickery, blended with his clinical finishing.

Sadio Mane

Amid all names, one stands out. Sadio Mane leads the team’s attack, and the rest of the continent will be watching on to see if the Liverpool speedster can hit legendary status. Mane was foiled in 2017 and ended beaten finalist in 2019. This time however, the marksman is gunning for the crown. Sadio has scored 26 goals for country, with two coming in the AFCON 2021 qualifiers.

Krepin Diatta of Monaco would have been another name worth mentioning, but the youngster will miss the AFCON due to injury.

Senegal are paired in group B alongside: Zimbabwe, Guinea and Malawi. Senegal starts her campaign against Zimbabwe on January 10th.

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