The qualification path:
After 2002 and 2018, Senegal has validated its ticket for the 2022 World Cup, which will therefore be its third participation in a World Cup. The Lions, CAN 2019 finalists, therefore arrived with favorite status during their qualification. In a chicken composed of Togo, Namibia and Congo, Aliou Cissé’s men did not tremble. With 5 wins and a small draw, Senegal has therefore quietly secured its first place in the group. But in Africa, you also have to go through a jump-off against another first in your group. As at CAN 2021, Sadio Mané’s teammates fell to Egypt. And as in this African Cup final, it was Senegal who won the game. At the end of a disputed double confrontation (0-1, 1-0) against the team of Mohamed Salah, the difference was made during a penalty shootout. Bis repeated with the final, Sadio Mané sent his people to Qatar by transforming the last penalty.
Strengths and weaknesses
For this World Cup, Senegal arrives with certainties. The first is to have in its workforce the best African player of the year. For several months, Sadio Mané has fully assumed his star status in the workforce and continues to be decisive when his team needs it. In general, Senegal can count on a well-stocked and above all very experienced workforce like Koulibaly, Idrissa Gueye or Edouard Mendy. Offensively, Aliou Cissé also has good ball players and the bench seems balanced enough to build a very coherent team capable of performing well at the World Cup.
But beware, since the start of the season, Aliou Cissé has had to rack his brains. Because in his eleven holder, the players who chain the minutes in club are rare. In defense, with the injury of Bouna Sarr, the situation of Saliou Ciss (without a club) or even an Edouard Mendy (became a substitute), the choices become complicated. Same story in the middle with a Pope Matar Sarr who does not play a minute at Tottenham or Sadio Mané who is still struggling to fully shine on the side of Bayern Munich. While the World Cup will be played without preparation, Aliou Cissé will quickly have to find an eleven that holds up physically …
Coach: Aliou Cisse
Emblematic captain of Senegal during the great epic at the 2002 World Cup, Aliou Cissé landed at the head of the selection in 2015. The objective: to finally shine a talented team on the African continent. But it was finally first at the 2018 World Cup that the former PSG showed that he was capable of leading an attractive team. But after the failure in the final of CAN 2019, Aliou Cissé saw the wind turn. Supported for a long time thanks to his positive balance sheet, he ended up being let go by the supporters dissatisfied with the too sterile game of his team after 2019. Despite that, he did not flinch. And even if his team did not always reassure, far from it, he always knew how to keep his group united. The final victory at CAN 2021 thus came to reward his work. And it’s no coincidence that a good number of players wanted to dedicate the final victory to him. The results also speak for themselves. Senegal will participate in its 3rd World Cup in its history. The three with Aliou Cissé (one as a player, two as a coach). Perhaps also his last competition with the Lions. And there is something to end on a high note.
The star: Sadio Mané
Obviously, Sadio Mané will be eagerly awaited at this World Cup. Winner of the African Ballon d’Or in 2022 and second in the Ballon d’Or behind Karim Benzema, the new Bayern Munich striker is the number 1 attacking asset of his selection and is clearly one of the best players in the world today. If he is still struggling to shine in Germany currently, he is still very successful with Senegal where he regularly finds the net. He also recently became the top scorer in the country’s history with 33 goals in 91 appearances. Technical leader and important man in the locker room, he will want to take Senegal to a new level after bringing back the first CAN in history less than a year ago.
The attraction: Pope Matar Sarr
It’s kind of the perfect opportunity for him to show his coach what he’s capable of. Because since he shone with FC Metz, Pape Matar Sarr has come to a halt. Transferred to Tottenham a year ago, the young Senegalese midfielder was disappointing with FC Metz last season during his loan. This summer, Antonio Conte said he wanted to count on him and therefore refused to let him go on loan. Problem, since then, the Italian coach does not seem to have him in his plans and has not played him once since the start of the season. Obviously frustrating for the young kid from Thiaroye but an additional source of motivation to show his talent at the World Cup. With Senegal, Sarr has the confidence of Aliou Cissé. And with the thirst for playing time, he could be on fire at this World Cup.
The last list:**
Guardians: Alfred Gomis (Rennes), Seny Dieng (QPR) and Mory Diaw (Clermont)
Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly (Chelsea), Moussa Niakhate*** (Nottingham Forest), Abdou Diallo (RB Leipzig), Pape Abou Cissé (Olympiakos), Formose Mendy (Amiens), Ismail Jakobs (AS Monaco) and Fodé Ballo-Touré (AC Milan )
Environments : Pape Gueye (Olympique de Marseille), Nampalys Mendy (Leicester), Cheikhou Kouyaté (Nottingham Forest), Mamadou Loum (Reading), Moutapha Name (Pafos), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham), Idrissa Gueye (Everton), Pathé Ciss (Rayo) Vallecano) and Iliman Ndiaye (Sheffield United)
Forwards: Sadio Mané (Bayern Munich), Ismaïla Sarr (Watford), Krépin Diatta (Monaco), Nicolas Jackson (Villarreal), Demba Seck (Torino), Boulaye Dia (Salernitana) and Bamba Dieng (Olympique de Marseille)
** Aliou Cissé will announce his final list on November 11
*** World Cup package
