ANC: Senegal Looks Good in Group B
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VINDAVE
ANC: Senegal Looks Good in Group B
Senegal Looks Good in Group B
Tunisia 2004
By Femi Atoyebi
-------------------------THISDAY SPORTS---------------------------------------
Senegal has played 30 Nations Cup matches so far, winning l2 and drawing six in their eight outings in the competition.
In 1965, Senegal appeared in the Nations Cup for the first time in Tunisia. Coming fourth in a six-team competition was not too bad for a debutant but the record was drawn backwards in Ethiopia '68 when Senegal could not advance beyond the group stage. A loss to Congo Kinshasa and draw with Ghana did not guarantee their qualification even with a win over Congo Brazzaville. Senegal missed out in Sudan '70,Cameroun '72, Egypt '74, Ethiopia '76, Ghana '78, Nigeria '80, Libya '82, and Ivory Coast '84 but reappeared in Egypt in 1986.With goal from Youn in the 67th minute, Senegal beat Egypt and recorded another win against Mozambique with strikes from Pappe Falls and Jules Bocande. However, a loss to Ivory Coast ensured their exit in the group on four points, same as Egypt and Ivory Coast but with goal difference.
At Algiers '90, Senegal lost out in the third place match to Zambia. The only goal of the match was scored by Chikabala in the 73rd minute.
As host in 1992, Senegal placed second in Group A to Nigeria but lost the quarter final match to Cameroon with goal from Ebongue.
The nation qualified again in 1994 but goal from Zambia's Sakala in the 39th minute ended their participation at the quarter final stage.
The country remained outside again till Ghana/Nigeria 2000 when the likes of Henri Camara, Papa Sarr, Salif Keita, Abdoulaye Mbaye and Kalilou Fadiga ignited the competition from their venue in Nigeria. They were a delight to watch until their exit by Super Eagles in a nail-biting quarter final clash.
Their glorious year no doubt was at Mali 2002 where they played well and excelled. Relying on the same players that featured at Ghana/Nigeria 2000; Senegal avenged their ouster in the earlier edition by beating Nigeria in the semi-finals. Kalilou Fadiga and El
Hadj Diouf, forming a deadly partnership that terrorised the
Eagles defence. Twice they had their way and in the end, it ended 2- l win in their favour. They would go on to reach the final where they meet Cameroon and lost in a penalty shoot out to secure their silver medal.
They qualified for Tunisia from Group Eight beating Gambia and Lesotho to the ticket. The team still boasts of its star players in their first historic World Cup success in Korea/Japan.
BURKINA FASO
They were Upper Volta until 1986 when the country changed its name to Burkina Faso. The nation has participated in five Nations Cup competitions in Ghana '78, South Africa '96, 1998 as host, Nigeria/Ghana 2000 and Mali 2002.
They used to be underdogs until 1998 when they hosted the competition. Their progress to the semi final was heroic and their exit was dramatic.
Placing second to Cameroon in Group A, Burkina Faso defeated Tunisia 8-7 on penalties in the quarter final and lost the final ticket to Egypt by 2-0 with goals from Hossam, Hassan in the 41st and 65th minute.
The third place match had all the aura of a novelty as the host lost three goals leads twice to tie the duel 4-4 with Congo DR.
They eventually lost out via penalties. Their other appearances all ended in the group stage.
Their qualification from group B may be limited by their
traditional midfield play, which does not allow for a free flowing game and scoring chances. However, they are masters of rugged African football.
KENYA
The Kenyan national team, the Harambee Stars, has never passed beyond the group stage in their four previous outings in the tournament. They were in Cameroon in 1972, Maroc '88, Algiers '90 and Senegal '92. They lost seven of their games and drew four with no wins. Their biggest losses were to Nigeria and Egypt in Maroc 1988, conceding three goals each from the two countries. They qualified from group five ahead of Togo, Cape Verde and Mauritania. For a country known for long distance races and tourism, crossing the group stage in Tunisia could be an uphill task against Mali, Senegal and Burkina Faso.
MALI
In the few Nations Cups that Mali had participated in the past, they have recorded good outings. In their first outing in Cameroon'72, Mali played 3-3 with Togo, 1-1 with Kenya and the same result with host Cameroon. Their semi final victory over Zaire was achieved after extra time. Final scores were 4-3.
They played Congo in the final and lost 3-2. A good record for a debutante at the Nations Cup. However, Mali had to wait for 22 years before another outing in Tunisia '94. This time, the semi final was their destination and Zambia was their greatest enemy in the competition, which defeated them by four goals to nil. They also lost the third place match to Ivory Coast 3-1.
Tunisia 2004
By Femi Atoyebi
-------------------------THISDAY SPORTS---------------------------------------
Senegal has played 30 Nations Cup matches so far, winning l2 and drawing six in their eight outings in the competition.
In 1965, Senegal appeared in the Nations Cup for the first time in Tunisia. Coming fourth in a six-team competition was not too bad for a debutant but the record was drawn backwards in Ethiopia '68 when Senegal could not advance beyond the group stage. A loss to Congo Kinshasa and draw with Ghana did not guarantee their qualification even with a win over Congo Brazzaville. Senegal missed out in Sudan '70,Cameroun '72, Egypt '74, Ethiopia '76, Ghana '78, Nigeria '80, Libya '82, and Ivory Coast '84 but reappeared in Egypt in 1986.With goal from Youn in the 67th minute, Senegal beat Egypt and recorded another win against Mozambique with strikes from Pappe Falls and Jules Bocande. However, a loss to Ivory Coast ensured their exit in the group on four points, same as Egypt and Ivory Coast but with goal difference.
At Algiers '90, Senegal lost out in the third place match to Zambia. The only goal of the match was scored by Chikabala in the 73rd minute.
As host in 1992, Senegal placed second in Group A to Nigeria but lost the quarter final match to Cameroon with goal from Ebongue.
The nation qualified again in 1994 but goal from Zambia's Sakala in the 39th minute ended their participation at the quarter final stage.
The country remained outside again till Ghana/Nigeria 2000 when the likes of Henri Camara, Papa Sarr, Salif Keita, Abdoulaye Mbaye and Kalilou Fadiga ignited the competition from their venue in Nigeria. They were a delight to watch until their exit by Super Eagles in a nail-biting quarter final clash.
Their glorious year no doubt was at Mali 2002 where they played well and excelled. Relying on the same players that featured at Ghana/Nigeria 2000; Senegal avenged their ouster in the earlier edition by beating Nigeria in the semi-finals. Kalilou Fadiga and El
Hadj Diouf, forming a deadly partnership that terrorised the
Eagles defence. Twice they had their way and in the end, it ended 2- l win in their favour. They would go on to reach the final where they meet Cameroon and lost in a penalty shoot out to secure their silver medal.
They qualified for Tunisia from Group Eight beating Gambia and Lesotho to the ticket. The team still boasts of its star players in their first historic World Cup success in Korea/Japan.
BURKINA FASO
They were Upper Volta until 1986 when the country changed its name to Burkina Faso. The nation has participated in five Nations Cup competitions in Ghana '78, South Africa '96, 1998 as host, Nigeria/Ghana 2000 and Mali 2002.
They used to be underdogs until 1998 when they hosted the competition. Their progress to the semi final was heroic and their exit was dramatic.
Placing second to Cameroon in Group A, Burkina Faso defeated Tunisia 8-7 on penalties in the quarter final and lost the final ticket to Egypt by 2-0 with goals from Hossam, Hassan in the 41st and 65th minute.
The third place match had all the aura of a novelty as the host lost three goals leads twice to tie the duel 4-4 with Congo DR.
They eventually lost out via penalties. Their other appearances all ended in the group stage.
Their qualification from group B may be limited by their
traditional midfield play, which does not allow for a free flowing game and scoring chances. However, they are masters of rugged African football.
KENYA
The Kenyan national team, the Harambee Stars, has never passed beyond the group stage in their four previous outings in the tournament. They were in Cameroon in 1972, Maroc '88, Algiers '90 and Senegal '92. They lost seven of their games and drew four with no wins. Their biggest losses were to Nigeria and Egypt in Maroc 1988, conceding three goals each from the two countries. They qualified from group five ahead of Togo, Cape Verde and Mauritania. For a country known for long distance races and tourism, crossing the group stage in Tunisia could be an uphill task against Mali, Senegal and Burkina Faso.
MALI
In the few Nations Cups that Mali had participated in the past, they have recorded good outings. In their first outing in Cameroon'72, Mali played 3-3 with Togo, 1-1 with Kenya and the same result with host Cameroon. Their semi final victory over Zaire was achieved after extra time. Final scores were 4-3.
They played Congo in the final and lost 3-2. A good record for a debutante at the Nations Cup. However, Mali had to wait for 22 years before another outing in Tunisia '94. This time, the semi final was their destination and Zambia was their greatest enemy in the competition, which defeated them by four goals to nil. They also lost the third place match to Ivory Coast 3-1.
Vindave:
I am worried about Mali and Zambia. The Zambians are the most skillful side in Africa bar none. Those guys pull off some devastating body moves and they will be tough to beat in Lusaka.
Mali is arguably the side with the most upside in the group. However, I think their volatile nature will be their undoing. I see them going down in Zambia and Dakar despite all their pros.
I am worried about Mali and Zambia. The Zambians are the most skillful side in Africa bar none. Those guys pull off some devastating body moves and they will be tough to beat in Lusaka.
Mali is arguably the side with the most upside in the group. However, I think their volatile nature will be their undoing. I see them going down in Zambia and Dakar despite all their pros.
Ghana's First President Kwame Nkrumah said: "We face neither East nor West; we face Forward"
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