Tanzanian are set to face one of the greatest nightmares in their lives as they will battle it out with the Cisse-led team, Senegal at the 30 June Stadium on Sunday, in their first match of the 2019 African Cup of Nation.
Senegal
Senegal made their way through to the AFCON with an easy qualifying group on paper consisting of Equatorial Guinea, Madagascar, and Sudan. This was proved when the Lions of Teranga collected 16 points from the possible 18 points- more than what any other team got in the qualifying campaign.
Senegal have been made a regular appearance in the AFCON competition with the best performance being in 2002 edition when they were the runners-up to Cameroon.
The Lions of Teranga have maintained their unbeaten record since losing to Colombia at the 2018 World Cup finals. They have won six of their seven matches since then and have kept a clean sheet in five of those matches.
While Senegal strikers will be busy breaking Tanzanian’s defense, Koulibaly will use his vast experience to fix Senegalese defense, ensuring that the clean sheet is maintained.
Though Mane will not be featured in this match, Senegal coach, Aliou Cisse is confident that they are still strong without the star, who was banned after being yellow-carded twice during qualifying for the biennial showcase of African football. “Certainly the presence of Sadio is beneficial, but without him, we remain strong,” stressed Cisse.
Read: Senegal’s plan to tackle Tanzania without Mane
Tanzania
Tanzania will be aiming to bring some smile to fans on their African Cup of Nation debut since their only previous appearance in 1980 when they exited the tournament without winning a game and they may suffer the same fate on this occasion.
They booked a place at the AFCON finals after finishing second to their East Africa neighbours, Uganda after beating the already qualified Uganda Cranes 3-0 in their last match to seal their spot in Egypt.
The Taifa Stars have not had a good run in their 8 recent matches as they won only three, lost three and drew two, making them real underdogs to their lethal opponents.
The team have had a shaky defense compared to their opponents as they have conceded six goals in all their 8 recent matches.
Tanzanians will put much of their hopes on their striker Mbwana Ally Samatta, who plays for the Belgian side Genk. He finished the 2018-19 season as the top goalscorer for the Belgian Jupiler League with 23 goals. Also he won the Ebony Shoe award in Belgium for his outstanding season with Genk.
Read also: Tanzania’s coach set to take advantage of Mane’s absence
Prediction
We won’t forget that Senegal have made the most appearance in the AFCON tournament than any other team and have never lifted the trophy. This may be their best opportunity as they are regarded as one of the favourites. The opening match will be very crucial if they want to keep their dream alive.
With the presence of Koulibaly in the defense, Senegal will not fear to push towards the Taifa Stars goal.
Tanzanians, 131 in the World, on the other side, will strive to impress their nation’s President John Maghufuli after a putting a huge investment on them and the gift (parcel of land) but with a mismatched team, Senegal, 22 in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.
With Tanzanian’s shaky defense and Senegal’s recent unbeaten record, my bet will likely be in favour of the Lions of Teranga to win.
Senegal full squad:
Goalkeepers: Abdoulaye Diallo (Rennes, France), Alfred Gomis (Spal, Italy) and Edouard Mendy (Reims, France)
Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli, Italy), Moussa Wague (FC Barcelona, Spain), Pape Abdou Cisse (Olympiacos, Greece), Salif Sane (Schalke,Germany), Youssouf Sabaly (Bordeaux,France), Lamine Gassama (Goztepe, Turkey), Saliou Ciss (Valenciennes, France), and Cheikhou Kouyate (Crystal Palace, England)
Midfielders: Alfred Ndiaye (Malaga, Spain), Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton, England), Keprin Diatta (Club Brugge, Belgium), Pape Alioune Ndiaye (Galatasaray, Turkey) and Henri Saivet (Bursaspor, Turkey).
Forwards: Ismaila Sarr (Rennes, France), Keita Balde (Inter Milan, Italy), Mbaye Niang (Rennes, France), Moussa Konate (Amiens, France), Mbaye Diagne (Galatasaray, Turkey), Sada Thioub (Nimes, France), Sadio Mane (Liverpool, England).
Tanzania full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Aishi Manula (Simba SC),Metacha Mhata (Mbao FC) and Aron Kalambo (TZ Prisons).
Defenders: Hassan Ramadan (Nkana FC), Vincent Phillipo (Mbao FC), Gadiel Michael (Young Africans), Ally Mtoni (Lipuli FC), Mohammed Hussein (Simba SC), Kelvin Yondani (Young Africans), Erasto Nyoni (Simba SC) and Agrey Moris (Azam FC)
Midfielders: Feisal Salum (Young Africans), Himid Mao (Petrojet FC), Mudathir Yahya (Azam FC), Frank Domayo (Azam FC), Farid Mussa (Tenerife) and Yahya Zayd (Ismailia).
Forwards: Rashid Mandawa (BDF), Mbwana Samatta (Genk), Thomas Ulimwengu (JS Saoura), John Bocco (Simba SC), Abdillanie Mussa (Blackpool) and Simon Msuva (Difaä El Jadid).