Senegal

The Road to the 2018 FIFA World Cup

Senegal’s World Cup journey got off to a shaky start with a draw against humble Madagascar in the first leg of their second-round play-off, but they prevailed in the home match, winning 3-0.

At the group stage, a corruption scandal forced them to replay the match against South Africa after match-fixing charges against the referee. They struggled against Burkina Faso with two draws, but eventually topped the group five points ahead of Burkina Faso in second, and Cape Verde and the South Africans back in third and fourth respectively.

Stars

Defender Kalidou Koulibaly is the glue that holds Senegal’s backline together. He missed two qualification matches – the first due to suspension and the second after Senegal had already secured their berth at the World Cup. At club level, he is well-regarded at Serie A club Napoli.

Up front, the team relies on Liverpool forward Sadio Mane, who scored one goal and provided five assists in qualifying. His pace and clever movement is likely to cause defenses in Russia numerous problems.

Idrissa Gana Gueye, of English Premier League club Everton, is another key player. The defensive midfielder, 28, plays a prominent role in the national team, and is as creative as he is combative.

Coach

Aliou Cisse has been head of the national team since 2015. Many fans may remember him as the national team’s captain during the World Cup in South Korea and Japan in 2002, when his side stunned defending champions France in the opening game and went on to reach the quarter-finals. That achievement remains a reference point for many African teams.

Cisse made a quick transition from player to assistant manager of the youth team in 2012, and to assistant coach in 2013. After Frenchman Alain Giresse was dismissed when the team did not make it to the knockout stage at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, the local federation offered Cisse the post.

Past Achievements

The 2002 success in Asia is a standout memory for another reason: it was the first time Senegal had ever taken part at the World Cup. The upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia will be the nation’s second appearance at the Finals. It is symbolic that the side will be led by its former captain who helped make it such a memorable debut 16 years