In a tournament full of upsets, Senegal will try to add to the stunners’ list in Sunday’s round of 16 when they take on England, who have never lost to an African team.
If Senegal are to surprise, they may have to do it without their inspiring leader and coach Aliou Cisse, who has been sidelined with illness.
Adding to the challenge, the African champions will definitely be without their general midfielder Idrissa Gueye, who is suspended for the match at Al Bayt after picking up a second yellow card against Ecuador in their last group match.
“He (Cisse) has been sick for a couple of days and yesterday he let us take over training obviously with his instructions,” assistant coach Regis Bogaert told reporters on Saturday.
“Hopefully tomorrow he can come and be on the bench with the players, but we are sure that at 10 pm he will be there with the team.”
England have faced African opposition 20 times, including seven at a World Cup, and are yet to lose.
While African nations have lost eight of their nine World Cup knockout round matches against European teams, Cissé was there for the only success in 2002 when Senegal beat Sweden to reach the quarterfinals.
Senegal stormed into that tournament by defeating reigning champions France and the dreadlocked Cissé has shared those memories with his players ahead of their date with England.
“When he speaks, he uses data and his own experiences,” Bogaert said. “He was part of that great team in 2002 and I think the team really trusts him because of that experience he had as a player.
“Beating England would be a great achievement, I don’t know how important it would be compared to winning in 2002, that was also important. If we can beat a team like England, it will send a very strong message about the progress we have made.”
Cissé has been in charge of Senegal since 2015 and guided the Lions of Teranga to several firsts, including their first Africa Cup of Nations title this year.
Bogaert explained that Senegal have done their homework and have paid particular attention to set pieces, a part of the game in which England have been especially dangerous in recent years.
“We have identified a few things and the most important thing is that set pieces can be decisive in these big games,” Bogaert said. “We also hope to take advantage of set pieces.
“Our strategy is in place.”
