Senegal is the first African team to qualify for the knockout stages of the World Cup. A feat, achieved without the star of the team, Sadio Mané.
Le record of African teams at this 2022 World Cup in Qatar was rather mixed at the end of the first day of the group stages. But hopes are now allowed: Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Cameroon can still hope to see the round of XNUMX, even if it will be difficult for some selections to conclude the third, decisive day in a positive way. However, Africa celebrated, yesterday, the qualification of Senegal. Without Sadio Mané, few supporters bet on a qualification. However, the Lions of Teranga did. And brilliantly.
Second in Group A behind the Netherlands, the Senegalese overcame Ecuador 2-1. Ismaïla Sarr scored from a penalty, while Koulibaly gave the victory to his team just three minutes after the South equalized -Americans. A beautiful reaction of pride which shows how far Senegal has progressed, he who was accustomed to losing despite his favorite status. The "eternal losers" have become potential winners, even in the absence of their star.
Mané misses, but the Lions ensured
Injured, Sadio Mané had considered playing at this World Cup for a time before finally resolving to forfeit. A hard blow when you know that the attacking midfielder is involved in almost half of the goals scored by his selection: he scored 9 goals and made 3 assists in the last 25 CAN or World Cup matches, when he held.
But even without Mané, Senegal have maintained their level, despite a defeat against the Netherlands when they entered the competition. Admittedly, the Teranga Lions suffered real pressure from Ecuador, but they folded without breaking.
The show was there on the pitch, in the stands, where Senegalese fans could count on the support of Moroccan fans, but also in the streets of Dakar, where scenes of jubilation were observed. Senegal must now prepare for the round of XNUMX. Players will be able to watch, without pressure, Tunisians, Moroccans, Ghanaians and Cameroonians attempt to achieve the same feat.