With Senegal booking their spot in the Qatar World cup, the nation is on a high note to make an everlasting impact on the tournament. Many administrative heads of the Senegalese football association along with some players are optimistic about the bright days of national football, giving some tough streaks at the international level. Provided the team works with its quality workforce, there are quite good chances for them to get ahead in the World cup and reach the knockout stages.
Senegal and glorious run of world cup 2002
Senegal first appeared in the World cup in 2002 where they shocked the world with their dream run into the quarterfinals. The run got them fans all around the globe where their goalscoring was also pioneering amongst the African nations. Who had expected Senegal to make that far in the World cup where they early on had to lock horns with tough competitors. The African nation would have not either grabbed a winning streak in betting venture until they resorted to some resilience and display of their valour in the group stages. While the World Cup is just around the corner, online sports betting is gearing up where you can assess best markets all around the globe, including Africa via online platforms like 10Bet that are pioneering online sports betting in Kenya .
The group stage had some tough opponents for Senegal comprising Denmark, Uruguay, and France- reigning champions at that time who were also one of the favourites. Yet Senegal managed to triumph with a historic win against France when they were managed by Bruno Metsu, who fearlessly organised his team for the glorious run. Finally, Senegal managed to reach the knockout stages for the first time ever when they faced Uruguay in a 3:3 draw.
The march was not finished for Senegal as they faced Sweden in round of 16 and after being held at 1:1 draw, the 104th minute of the play saw Camara scoring for Senegal and launching them to the quarter finals. It was the first time that the journey was such mind boggling for the African nation, yet the marathon finally came to an end against Turkey when Turks scored an exclusive goal in the 94th minute to seal their spot in the semi finals, even though Senegal tried to play their part. Nonetheless, the gallant display by them in the group stage as being the third African nation to reach quarter finals in a world cup until this date still won them applause all over.
Can Senegal repeat the heroics in the 2022 World cup?
Senegal will be looking forward to repeating the heroics of the 2002 World cup as for now they are quite determined after winning their first ever AFCON trophy. During qualifiers, Senegal managed to top their group where they finally qualified for the Qatar World cup after beating Egypt. Overall, it will be the third World cup for the African nation where they have to face Netherlands, Qatar, and Ecuador respectively from group A.
With Liverpool forward Sadio Mane contributing to winning tally in African Cup of nations, Aliou Cisse’s side can advance ahead in the tournament, provided they excel in teamwork. Senegal and Netherlands are the favourites from the group A where the first match amongst them is going to be very decisive. Although Senegal couldn’t make it past the group stage in the 2018 World cup, 2022 has been a glorious run for the national side.
The Lions of Teranga would be eyeing the knockout stages where they would like to surpass their wonders of the 2002 tournament. Marching towards the third Fifa World cup for Senegal, players like Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and Liverpool forward Sadio mane will be crucial for the success. Having the highest World cup win percentage from any of the African nations, Senegal will have to turn the tables again as they have promising talent at their back.
It took quite a while for Senegal to build a team that serves the purpose of quality play. With the winning objective and former success in the AFCON tournament, Senegal are looking promising to make Qatar World cup a remarkable run.
Final word
Having a young bunch of talent cropping up in the national team, Senegal can again put on a spectacle to awe the world if they attribute the key positions with qualitative teamwork. While they have improved their FIFA world rankings with the rebuilding efforts, they can ensure that they serve their ambitions to go far at the Fifa World cup, 2022.
