Sequels are very rarely better than the debut. Bloated by the success of the opener, the subsequent showing is usually flattened by the weight of expectation.
But there should be no fear for Senegal’s second World Cup appearance, although if it is anything like the first, we are all in for a thrilling ride.
Indeed, few sides in Russia will carry the burden of history quite like the Lions of Teranga but 16 years on from their celebrated debut, this new pride has plenty of pedigree.
The latest generation, headed up by sharp coach Aliou Cisse, is rich in talent, vibrancy and crucially a fearless trait which could see them create rave reviews of their own.
In 2002, Senegal stunned defending champions France in one of the tournament’s greatest shocks. They then held Denmark and Uruguay to draws, downed Sweden with a golden goal before losing out in extra-time to Turkey in the quarter-finals.
An indelible mark was left but despite players well-stocked with ability, Senegal failed to push on.
Now, armed with elite stars like Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), M’Baye Niang (AC Milan), Keita Balde (Monaco) and of course Sadio Mane (Liverpool), the squad has retained its African identity but unlike the 2002 iteration, it is meshed with continental experience.
The Lions qualified by defeating South Africa, Burkina Faso and Cape Verde and the draw placed them within in a testing but balanced group alongside Colombia, Poland and Japan.
But there are some question marks over the make-up and mentality of the team. Cisse has experimented with a 4-5-1 formation instead of the 4-3-3 used during qualifying and it has yielded mixed results with two draws.
And it is experience which brings the other question mark. The exposure to high-level competition on a national level is limited but what they lack in wisdom on the pitch, is made up for on the sidelines.
Cisse captained his side at the 2002 World Cup and can now bring calm as coach. But this team is more than capable of creating history of its own, whether it be this World Cup or the next.
KEY PLAYER
Sadio Mane
Piercing pace married to dazzling dribbling to create goals and assists, Mane is one of Africa’s finest exports and he’s enjoyed another superb season as part of Liverpool’s terror trio. He’s beginning to embrace the enormous burden of expectation on his shoulders.
COACH
Aliou Cisse
A fiercely intelligent man, Cisse is one of Africa’s most talented coaches and having captained the famous 2002 Senegal side, he is acutely aware of what it takes to
produce. The 42-year-old has forged a strong bond with much of his squad having coached many at U23 level.
CAPTAIN
Cheikhou Kouyate
The skipper is made of iron but for West Ham this season he’s been melted by a series of poor performances. For Senegal, though, the towering midfielder is a rugged ball-winner and a crucial cog in the central hub of a side that has so many attacking options.
YOUNG STAR
Keita Balde
The 23-year-old has operated on the left of an electric front three with Mane on the opposite side and Diafra Sakho through the middle. Took time to settle at Monaco last season after arriving from Serie A club Lazio, but has been decisive since the turn of the year.
STATS AND FACTS
– Senegal are the second ranked African team at the World Cup
– Seven of the first-team squad play their club football in England
– Their best finish at the Africa Cup of Nations is a runner-up spot in 2002
FIFA Rating
76 DEF, 77 MID, 77 ATT
World Cups competed at
2 (First in 2002)
World Cup record
P5, W2, D2, L1
Best Finish
Quarter-finals (2002)
Qualification Record
P8, W5, D3
Ranking
28
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Khadim N’Diaye (Horoya AC), Abdoulaye Diallo (Rennes), Alfred Gomis (Torino).
Defenders: Kara Mbodji (Anderlecht), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Moussa Wague (Eupen), Saliou Ciss (Angers), Youssouf Sabaly (Bordeaux), Lamine Gassama (Alanyaspor).
Midfielders: Badou Ndiaye (Stoke), Idrissa Gueye (Everton), Cheikhou Kouyate (West Ham), Cheikh N’Doye (Birmingham), Salif Sane (Hannover 96), Alfred N’Diaye (Villarreal).
Forwards: Moussa Sow (Bursaspor), Sadio Mane (Liverpool), Keita Balde Diao (Monaco), Moussa Konate (Amiens), Ismaila Sarr (Rennes), Diafra Sakho (Rennes), Mame Biram Diouf (Stoke), M’Baye Niang (AC Milan).
VERDICT
Senegal are one of three African teams to have reached the World Cup quarter-finals and hopes are high this squad can at least match that.
