Senegal look to do better than their 2002 quarterfinal record

Senegal will look to continue where they left things off in the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan.

The Lions of Teranga, qualified to play in the World Cup, after topping the group that featured Burkina Faso, South Africa and Cape Verde.

Senegal became the second African nation to reach World Cup quarterfinals under the reigns of French Coach Bruno Metsu following Cameroon that did the same in 1990.

El-Hadji Diouf was the key player in the Senegal’s run in 2002. In the group stages, after beating France 1-0, they drew with Denmark and Uruguay to advance to the quarters.

In the Round of 16, they defeated Sweden 2–1 with a golden goal from Henri Camara in extra time, before 1 – 0 defeat to Turkey in the quarterfinals.

The third country to follow on Senegal was Ghana that reached the quarterfinals following their defeat to Uruguay in 2010 World Cup that was held in South Africa.

The Senegalese team will be making their second World Cup appearance in Russia. The West African country will be more relying mainly to the Liverpool trickster Sadio Mane.

Group H, the pool where Senegal finds themselves in, features Poland, Japan and Colombia and it is tipped as the group of death since all teams look to have equal chances to pave the way to the next round.

Heading to Russia guided by the local coach, Aliou Cissé Aliou Cissé, the West African country appears to be underdogs.

The best Senegal’s best run in the international tournament came in 2002 Africa Cup of Nations, when they recorded a defeat in the final on a penalty shootout after playing 0-all with Cameroon.

Whether Cisse’s charges will advance from the group stages remains to be seen.