Team Countdown - Senegal. It says something of Senegal's only World Cup expedition that 16 years later, it is undoubtedly the most remarkable representation of the African continent, only behind that by Cameroon in 1990. Appearing as debutants, the Senegalese stick in the memory for ensuring then world champions France did not have to unpack all their kits as a sensational 1-0 opening day win made life difficult for the French and suddenly one of two Last 16 slots many had thought was reserved for France instead ended up with the Lions of Teranga.
The Senegalese would go on to reach the quarter-finals that year but that gifted generation featuring names like Elhadji Diouf, Khalilou Fadiga and Papa Bouba Diop was unable to deliver on its promise as there were no subsequent World Cup appearances until another exceptional collection of players showed up.
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