News Focus
- Senegal lost their Africa Cup of Nations title in March after a dispute with CAF following the final against Morocco
- The Lions of Teranga begin their World Cup campaign against France on June 17 in Group I
- El Hadji Diouf backs the squad to become the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals
- Pape Thiaw’s side have recorded impressive friendly victories over England and Brazil in the past year
Senegal enter this summer’s FIFA World Cup with a heavy heart. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) stripped them of their Africa Cup of Nations title just two months after they lifted the trophy. The decision came in March following a dramatic final against Morocco.
The Lions of Teranga won the match in January through chaotic scenes. Referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty deep into stoppage time after a VAR check. He ruled that Malick Diouf had fouled Brahim Diaz. Manager Pape Thiaw reacted by ordering his players off the pitch in protest. Sixteen minutes later, Sadio Mane led the team back onto the field. Edouard Mendy saved the penalty, and Pape Gueye scored the winner in extra time.
CAF’s appeal board later punished Senegal for the protest. The squad still paraded the trophy before a friendly with Peru. Now they await a hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Despite this setback, former striker El Hadji Diouf sees a bright future. He spoke about the team’s targets ahead of the tournament. “AFCON was the warm-up for the World Cup. We know we’re so good,” he said. “People know Senegal is not just a good team – it’s an institution of football now.”
The former national team star pointed to the squad’s leading players. Sadio Mane, Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly carry the hopes of the entire continent. Diouf wants the team to operate like a “machine”.
“Going to the World Cup for us now, it’s normal. At this World Cup, we have an objective – we want to reach the semi-final,” he explained. “We have big players, we have a good group and we won the Africa Cup of Nations.”
Senegal have already warned the world’s top sides. Last June, they beat England 3-1 at Wembley Stadium. They followed this with a 2-0 victory away to Brazil. These results prove they can compete with anyone.
Their first match in Group I comes against France on June 16 in New Jersey. This brings back memories of the 2002 World Cup. Back then, Senegal shocked the reigning champions France 1-0 in their opening clash. Diouf played in that famous match.
“We beat the best team of the world with Zinedine Zidane,” he recalled. “Winning against big teams is not always about having talent. It’s about everything coming from your heart.”
The group also contains Norway and Iraq. Senegal face Norway on June 23 in Toronto, before meeting Iraq on June 26 in the same city.
Diouf has urged the current players to believe in themselves. “If you beat Brazil, if you beat England in England, you can beat any team,” he said. “We also know Norway have a good team and we’re going to respect them.”
The former forward praised the country’s football academies. Most of the current squad came through the local system. These players have grown up together for 15 years. This unity creates success.
“We just want to show the world how good we are everywhere,” Diouf added. “And why not be the first African team to get to play the final of the World Cup? If they put that on their mind, they can do it.”
Diouf spoke at a PUMA kit launch event in New York. The brand revealed new strips for 11 nations competing at the tournament this summer.