Britain’s Senegalese community are getting ready for the big game - a match sure to make hairs stand on end.
England v Senegal will kick off at 7pm tonight and one hairdressing salon will be the focus of cheers for the African team
The women behind a dedicated Senegalese fan zone in London hope to see their side tame the Three Lions.
Soukeina Sy, 35, is holding a fan bash in Lewisham, South East London. The ardent football fan moved here from Paris in 2018 to study English and hair and beauty.
And after finding there was nowhere to celebrate when Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nation s earlier this year, she launched her own community group for the Senegalese community in London.
Soukeina set up the group Terangainuk which is now used to connect Senegal nationals and British residents with Senegalese roots in London.
Teranga loosely means “hospitality”. “That’s what Senegal is all about,”Soukeina says, while preparing for tonight’s big match at Afro Hair Glamour Styles in Waltham Cross, Herts.
“We are welcoming and hospitable, so it’s the perfect name.“
Nene Toure, 43, moved to London in 2014 and bought the hair salon in 2019, making it a strong community hub.
She says: “Football is so important to us – it unites us as a community and brings us together.
"So to see Senegal in the World Cup means so much to us. We may be small, but we can be proud of our country and national identity.
"Senegal is as much a footballing nation as England, with kids kicking footballs on the beach or in the street as soon as they can walk.”
Soukeina agrees. Her favourite player is Cheikhou Kouyaté, currently signed to Nottingham Forest.
The 32-year-old was stretchered off during Senegal's opening group game against the Netherlands and has not featured for his country at the tournament since.
She adds: "I really hope he is able to play on Sunday. "
She knows some Brits who have parents of Senegalese heritage feel conflicted.
Nene says: “I understand some British-born Senegalese, and other British Africans are very torn about who they want to win. I will be the same if Senegal play France. But my heart belongs to Senegal. "
Migration from Senegal, which has a population of 17.2 million, has built communities in South East London and Broxbourne, Herts.
However, not everyone in the Waltham Cross salon was waving a Senegal flag.
British Jamaican Necola ReidWarner had England’s Cross of Saint George draped over her shoulders.
She said: “England has to beat Senegal! I’m very confident they will win.”
Undefeated Group B winners England take on African Cup of Nations champions Senegal for a place in the World Cup quarters.
Three Lions' manager Gareth Southgate is embracing the increased expectations, selection headaches and chance to put smiles on supporters' faces at a challenging time.
The UK ambassador to Senegal said the two nations are united in their "passion for football", describing the African country as "about as football mad, if not more, than the UK is".
Senegalese fans based in England have spoken of conflicting family allegiances ahead of the game, with one fan joking his son "might not have supper, depending on the result".
At the Cabana Hop Garden in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Doha, some England supporters said their side should have "too much" for the African nation, with one adding: "I don't think there's anyone to fear".
Hayden Smith, 27, from Essex, said: "I'm really nervous for the game, I want to get it done, get through to the quarters and beat France as well."
Joe Parker, 26, also from Essex, who was enjoying a drink with Mr Smith ahead of the match, was more cautious, saying: "He thinks 4-0 but I think it'll go to penalties... I'd be very nervous at that point."
Spurs fan Mr Smith added: "(Harry) Kane hat-trick, watch, he'll score tonight - everyone is slagging him off but he's going to get a goal tonight - easy 3-0, 4-0."
On Senegal, Mr Smith said: "I know they're the champions of Africa but I watched them in the Afcon (Africa Cup of Nations) and the group and I don't think they're all that, I think we'll be fine.
"If we don't beat them we don't deserve to go through - what chance have we got against France if we struggle tonight?"
On England's chances for the rest of the World Cup, the pair both said "I think we're going to win it".
