Gulf Times
Senegal star Sadio Mane has said their group opponents Qatar will be a tough nut to crack in front of their home fans at the FIFA World Cup 2022. In an interview with FIFA+, the Bayern Munich forward said the reigning African champions Senegal will have to be at their best against hosts Qatar and Ecuador and not just the Netherlands, who will start as favourites to win Group A.
Answering a query if the Dutch represent the biggest threat from a Senegalese perspective, Mane said: “We’ll have to show them respect. They’re well placed in the FIFA ranking. They’re a very strong side and have excellent World Cup pedigree,” he commented.
“However, we mustn’t underestimate the other teams in the group, Ecuador and Qatar, who certainly won’t be there just to make up the numbers. Ecuador had a good qualifying campaign, while Qatar will be a tough opponent on home soil. Just like us, they head into the World Cup with a status to defend as Asian champions. We can’t go overlooking any of the teams in our group. We’ll have to be wary, focused and, above all, just take one game at a time,” he added.
Twenty years ago, Senegal made a memorable debut at the World Cup reaching the quarter-finals, having also defeated reigning champions France 1-0 in their first-ever World Cup match in 2002. The 30-year-old said that achievement is what the current Senegal players have in their minds ahead of Qatar 2022.
“That’s our aim and it’s the challenge. The 2002 generation is our role model. That team put Senegal on the world football map. They rewrote our nation’s history and we’re their heirs. They’re record-breakers and all records are there to be broken,” he said.
“I can tell you now that we’ll be heading to Qatar with a clear idea of our strengths and will be giving our all to get as far as possible. I know that’s also what our predecessors want to see from us. You only have to look at just how emotional they were when we lifted the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year. If you get the chance to interview the legendary El-Hadji Diouf, he’ll tell you that he’d love to see us go all the way at this World Cup,” he added.
Mane, the CAF African Footballer of the Year holder, is blessed with immense technical ability and is fundamental for his national team. The 30-year-old converted the decisive penalty that booked Senegal’s place at the Qatar showpiece and is now preparing to strut his stuff at a second successive FIFA World Cup.
“I still haven’t been able to put that feeling into words. It was simply amazing!,” said Mane on his goal that secured Senegal’s spot at the World Cup. “We were playing at home and had been told that the Stade Diamniadio was already packed to the rafters at 10:00, despite kick-off not being until later on that night. It was a match that meant so much to us. We fell to a 1-0 defeat in the first leg in Egypt. That game left us with a bitter taste in our mouths because we were so keen to win that first leg at their place, although we were aware of just what a tough task that was. It speaks volumes of our spirit as warriors. The return game was such a vital match, both for us as players and the people of Senegal. The circumstances meant that we were under a bit of pressure. However, that pressure became a motivation thanks to our fans’ support. They got behind us right from the first whistle and played their part. We couldn’t afford to let them down. I’ve never been as motivated as I was when I stepped up against the Egyptian goalkeeper, and the rest is history.”
Senegal will open their World Cup campaign with a match against the Netherlands on November 21 before meeting Qatar, four days later at Al Thumama Stadium. They will play their final group match against Ecuador at Khalifa International Stadium on November 29.