If a first major tournament victory at the Africa Cup of Nations was the perfect start to the year for Senegal, a deep run at the World Cup would be a special end to 2022. You could argue that there have only been two teams from Africa to make an impression at a World Cup out of the last five tournaments, but there is something different about this Senegal side, certainly enough to spark hope that they could make a great leap in Qatar.
If Ghana in 2010 was one side to make a lasting impact on a World Cup this century, Senegal’s 2002 team that shocked champions France and reached the quarter-finals is the other example of what can be achieved, but they are no longer the standout vintage in their own nation. Sadio Mane’s winning penalty in the historic Africa Cup of Nations final shootout victory over Egypt helped see to that. Mane, who also scored the penalty to send Senegal to only their third World Cup, also against Egypt, is the talismanic figure, but Senegal also possess a fine squad.
