When Senegal line up for their first 2018 Fifa World Cup game against Poland on Tuesday, they will have the task of claiming a first win at the tourney for Africa.
Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria and Tunisia have already provided disappointing losses and disheartening performances in their tournament openers, slightly dashing hopes of Africa’s quest for a first World Cup title.
Africa’s best performance at the World Cup has been to reach the quarterfinals, accomplished by Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010.
Entraînement au Stade du Spartak. 15 premières minutes ouvertes au public ! Puis, le reste, dans le secret de la tanière !🤗 pic.twitter.com/9st8IVMo9r
— Cynthia Nzetia, FIFA (@FIFAWorldCupSEN) June 18, 2018
The Teranga Lions, led by Aliou Cisse, is a delightful one to watch and might claim the continent’s first victory at the Mundial when they face the Eagles at the Spartak Stadium. The 42-year-old gaffer is positive ahead of the clash.
Everyone knows the first game is important, even if it’s not decisive,” Cisse said at the pre-match presser on Monday.
“We are raring to go and to get a result against Poland, it should be a nice game. They have very good individual qualities but some defensive weaknesses. Lewandowski is a world class player but Poland are a competitive team, a winning team.
“They have teamwork, it’s a real team, with other players that can play just as well, [and] can make the difference at any moment,” he continued.
“There’s no additional pressure [after the losses of Egypt, Morocco and Nigeria]. There is no pressure whatsoever on us. We have things to show because we have been together for the past three years. We’ve worked hard to get here, we deserve to be here and we will show how outstanding we can be.”
A little slice of #Senegal comes to Moscow! #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/8uFfBjqGRA
— Piers Edwards (@piers_e) June 18, 2018
The former Portsmouth defender added that the continent’s progression at previous editions gives him the belief that the trophy will soon be claimed by an African side.
“I have the certainty that one day an African team, an African country, will win the World Cup.
“It’s a bit more complicated in our countries. We have realities that are not there in other continents, but I think that the African continent is full of qualities. We are on the way, and I’m sure that Senegal, Nigeria or other African countries will be able to win, just like Brazil, Germany or other European countries.”
Asian giants Japan and South America’s Colombia are the other teams of Group H.
