The Lions of Teranga are yet to concede a single goal at the Africa Cup of Nations and are three matches away from being crowned champions of Africa after beginning the tournament as favourites (5/1). Senegal next face Equatorial Guinea for a ticket to the semi-finals.
Africa Cup of Nations: Quarter-final
Saturday 29 January
Saturday 29 January
Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium
21:00
To Win (90 minutes)
Senegal 5/10
Senegal 5/10
Draw 2/1
Equatorial Guinea 7/1
Equatorial Guinea 7/1
To Win
Senegal 1/5
Senegal 1/5
Equatorial Guinea 3/1
Senegal
After being outdone by the narrowest of margins during the last edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, losing 1-0 to Algeria in the final, Senegal find themselves at the cusp of proving why they are FIFA’s highest-ranked African nation (20th) with three victories earning Senegal their first continental title.
But it won’t be any easy task and coach Aliou Cisse knows that his troops can’t take Equatorial Guinea lightly after already watching many of the underdogs punch above of their weight in Cameroon.
Goals have been hard to come-by with talisman Sadio Mane scoring two of the Senegal’s three goals thus far, however, I strongly believe the Lions of Teranga are yet to concede a single goal with four consecutive clean sheets and this is the key which could lead to success in knockout cup football.
Paris Saint-Germain’s midfield dynamo, Idrissa Gueye, is one of the most underrated players on the planet in his deep-lying anchor role. The former Aston Villa and Everton man has energy for days, but his most important quality is awareness and understanding of situations to intercept danger.
If you manage to navigate around “Gana” Gueye, you’ll be encountered by captain Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli) partnered with Paris Saint-Germain’s Abdou Diallo and one of the world’s best goalkeepers Edouard Mendy (Chelsea).
Sadio Mane to score Anytime (18/10) is well-worth a punt and Liverpool’s number 10 to score the first goal of the game offers plenty value at 42/10. Meanwhile, the safest play seems to be Senegal keeping a clean sheet after 90 minutes at 9/20 odds.
Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea enter the lion’s den but won’t fear after being pitted in a group with Ivory Coast, Algeria and Sierra Leone, beating the two latter opponents to qualify for the round-of-16, then edging out a 6-5 penalty shootout victory over Mali to set up Sunday afternoon’s meeting with Senegal.
On paper all signs point towards the bigger and much-fancied nation to progress further, however, if Equatorial Guinea manage to upset the applecart and score the first goal of the contest, the crowd in Cameroon will erupt and fully get behind the National Thunder (as seen in the clash where Burkina Faso knocked out Tunisia). I mean, who doesn’t enoy an underdog story, right?
I’m afraid the Lions will prove too strong for Equatorial Guinea and will be very determined when not in possession from the first whistle, while the likes of Mane and co. can see the finishing line nearing and know they must pick up their level of performances in attack.
Prediction: Home Win To Nil (Yes) (18/10)
I can’t see this Senegalese defence being penetrated. Keeping clean sheets seems to be their approach and who could blame coach Aliou Cisse, it’s gotten them this far. While Sadio Mane and the rest of the forwards are expected to become more clinical to finish off opponents earlier.
Written by Bryan Naicker