World Cup 2022 Group A: Afcon winners Senegal eager to improve on 2018 exit

African champions have team of big-league talent including likes of Mane, Mendy and Koulibaly

Bayern Munich attacker Sadio Mane has 33 goals in 91 games for Senegal. AFP

Few countries at this year’s World Cup have had a more successful 2022 than Senegal, who won their first Africa Cup of Nations title in February to finally rule the continent after a 56-year wait.

Senegal made light work of CAF’s first installment of qualification for Qatar, strolling through their group winning 16 of 18 points available, before edging out Egypt on penalties in March’s tense two-legged play-off.

Having won their maiden Afcon title against the same opponents in identical circumstances a month earlier in Cameroon, before also prevailing in two shoot-outs at July’s Cosafa Cup in Southern Africa, nobody can question Senegal’s nerve in pressured situations.

Mental fortitude underpins the work of a side settled under long-serving manager Aliou Cisse, who also oversaw Senegal’s 2018 World Cup group stage exit, when they were tied with Japan on points but ousted due to an inferior fair-play ranking.

That heartbreak has failed to quell the combative approach of a side brimming with talent. Sadio Mane may now be banging in the goals for Bayern Munich instead of Liverpool, but English football remains heavily represented by the likes of Chelsea pair Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy, Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye and Watford winger Ismaila Sarr.

Even Nampalys Mendy, who has struggled to make the Leicester City team in 2022, has been a fixture at the heart of the Senegal midfield, anchoring play in unflustered fashion while those around him burn through energy.

With February’s triumph still fresh in the memory and a 100 per cent record so far in qualifying for next year’s Afcon, Senegal are heading to Qatar on the crest of a wave and eager to improve on 2018’s narrow early exit.

Senegal's Sadio Mane celebrates after winning the Africa Cup of Nations after a penalty shoot-out against Egypt at the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde on Sunday, February 6, 2022. Reuters

Senegal players celebrate after winning the Africa Cup of Nations. Reuters

Egypt's Mohamed Salah looks dejected after losing the Africa Cup of Nations final. Reuters

Senegal's goalkeeper Edouard Mendy (C) celebrates with teammates after winning the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 final football match between Senegal and Egypt at Stade d'Olembe in Yaounde on February 6, 2022. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

Egypt's Mohamed Elneny in tears after the final. Reuters

Egypt's goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal during a penalty shoot-out. AFP

Senegal's supporters cheer at the end of the Africa Cup of Nations final. AFP

Senegal's Idrissa Gana Gueye and Sadio Mane celebrate after winning the penalty shoot-out in the Afcon final against Egypt. Reuters

Senegal players celebrate winning the Africa Cup of Nations after a penalty shoot-out in the final against Egypt at the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde on Sunday, February 6, 2022. Reuters

Senegal's forward Sadio Mane, left, Egypt's forward Mohamed Salah and goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal speak before a penalty kick during the Africa Cup of Nations final. AFP

Egypt's goalkeeper Mohamed Abogabal stops a shot by Senegal's Sadio Mane during the Africa Cup of Nations final in Yaounde. AFP

Mohamed Salah during the Afcon final against Senegal at Stade d'Olembe in Yaounde. AFP

Egypt supporters in Yaounde on Sunday. AFP

Senegal's Kalidou Koulibaly, left, challenges Egypt's Mohamed Salah in Yaounde. AP

Senegal's Idrissa Gana Gueye shoots at goal from a free kick. Reuters

Senegal's head coach Aliou Cisse during the Africa Cup of Nations final. AFP

Manager: Aliou Cisse

Star player: Sadio Mane

One to watch: Ismailia Sarr

World Cup finals appeared in: 2002, 2018

Fixtures: Nov 21 - Senegal v Netherlands; Nov 25 - Qatar v Senegal; Nov 29 - Ecuador v Senegal