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2019 Africa Cup of Nations: Group C preview

By Liam Bekker

CAIRO, EGYPT - JUNE 17: General view of the exterior of Cairo International Stadium on 17th June, 2019 in Cairo, Egypt. (Photo by Visionhaus)
CAIRO, EGYPT - JUNE 17: General view of the exterior of Cairo International Stadium on 17th June, 2019 in Cairo, Egypt. (Photo by Visionhaus) /
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DAKAR, SENEGAL – MARCH 26: Sadio Mane looks on during a friendly match between Senegal and Mali after both teams qualified for the 2019 CAN held in Egypt, on March 26, 2019 in Dakar, Senegal. (Photo by Xaume Olleros/Getty Images)
DAKAR, SENEGAL – MARCH 26: Sadio Mane looks on during a friendly match between Senegal and Mali after both teams qualified for the 2019 CAN held in Egypt, on March 26, 2019 in Dakar, Senegal. (Photo by Xaume Olleros/Getty Images) /

Senegal

Perennial underachievers Senegal will be making their 15th appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations at this year’s competition. Despite being home to some of the most talented players on the continent, the West Africa nation has never won the competition, although they did end as runners up in 2002.

Qualification

Senegal were one of the most impressive teams during the qualification stages where they won five and drew one of their six matches. The 16 points earned by them was the most by any nation in qualifying and later contributed to Senegal climbing one place to 22nd in FIFA’s latest world rankings. M’Baye Niang scored three goals for the Lions of Teranga and was ably supported by Idrissa Gueye and Moussa Sow who scored twice each.

The squad

Under the management of former national team captain Aliou Cisse, Senegal arrive in Egypt with one of the strongest squads at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations. All 23 players currently play in Europe where all but five of whom turn out for clubs in the so-called big five leagues.

https://twitter.com/KofiAsiedu_/status/1138740890774773760

Liverpool’s Sadio Mane and Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly are the nation’s obvious star players but the quality in depth Cisse has at his disposal is enough to make most, if not all of his rivals envious. Given the talent within the squad, it was inevitable that some players would miss out and defender Kara Mbodji is probably the most unfortunate to be cut.

Next. Group D preview. dark

Key player: Sadio Mane

On the back of his best-ever domestic season with Liverpool, Sadio Mane will be looking to captain his nation to a first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title. The 27-year old is one of the fastest and most clinical forwards in the game today and he’ll be looking to cement his status as one of the world’s best by excelling in Egypt.

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