Forget the Three Lions… it’s all about the Lions of Teranga now.
That’s the nickname for the national side in soccer-obsessed Senegal. And fans here reckon they will not only roar to victory against England tomorrow, but could go all the way and win the World Cup.
Folk in the West African country are usually devoted to teams from our Premier League. They’re fixated on Foden and crazy for Kane. But not any more.
A whistle-stop tour of capital Dakar today showed they are now taking pride in the team who lifted this year’s Africa Cup Of Nations .
As megafan Arona Camara said: “We are champions of Africa, why can’t we be champions of the world? We are very strong. We will win 2-0, maybe 3-0.
“We are very happy. We have a great team. It will be a great game for Senegal.”
Get all the latest news sent to your inbox. Sign up for the free Mirror newsletter
Confident Arona’s pal, Momadou Ba, declared: “It will be tough… England are a good side. But Senegal will win.
“England have had a good time so far. Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford are good, but it will be Senegal, for sure.”
The whole of Dakar seems to have been draped in Senegal’s national colours of red, gold and green in preparation for the big match.
And Arona, who owns a roadside stall selling books, magazines and trinkets, is currently doing a roaring trade in earsplitting vuvuzela horns.
The city is home to almost four million people – and many are expected to cram into bars and fan zones for the big match, just like they do in the UK.
In another mirror image of the England faithful, the Senegalese are 100% convinced their team will triumph.
But it won’t be exactly the same as Britain as they count down the hours until the match – because temperatures are set to hit a balmy 27C before kick-off.
The Senegalese Football Federation was founded in 1960 after the former colony won independence from France.
The team has only really started to shine in the last few years, but they made the World Cup quarterfinals in 2002 after beating Sweden 2-1 in the last 16.
This time, Senegal lost their first game against the Netherlands 2-0. But they got through as runners-up in their group after beating Qatar 3-1 and Ecuador 2-1.
During tomorrow's game, fans can tuck into the delicious local dish, thieboudienne – fish, rice and vegetables – for as little as 1,000 CFA francs, or £1.30.
And they can wash it down with La Gazelle beer at 90p a bottle – far cheaper than a pint at my Manchester local.
Street vendor Mamadu Dalo was selling replica Senegal shirts, which might not have been strictly official, alongside flags and scarves.
Unsurprisingly, he also predicted a Senegal victory tonight, and said: “It will be 2-0. We are very confident.
“England and Senegal are both good, but Senegal will win. We will all be watching.”
Two massive fan parks have been set up in Dakar – one on the Atlantic coast and another in the shadow of the 170ft high African Renaissance Monument.
Mohammed Ali-Barry, who was selling jerseys, flags and yet more air horns, will be heading to one of the zones to watch the game.
He said: “Everyone is looking forward to it. England is a great team, but so is Senegal. We’ll win 2-0.”
We also caught up with some pals having a kickabout on a concrete pitch, with rusting goalposts and collapsed fencing.
Babacan Sow, who normally follows Liverpool, reckons England will Kop it and lose 3-1 – even though one ex-Red won’t be playing for Senegal because he is injured.
"We will miss Sadio Mane, but the team is still very strong,” he said.
His Man City-supporting mate Aziz Diallo said: “I love English football. City is my favourite. But Senegal will win, maybe 1-0.”
However, Abdou Iahad Nduo, already proudly sporting his Senegal shirt, said: “I think it will be 2-0. Famara Diedhiou will score.”
Other star Senegal players include defender Kalidou Koulibaly, who plays for Chelsea, and Everton ’s Idrissa Gana Gueye – but he has been suspended and will miss tomorrow's crunch match.
