Senegal captain Sadio Mane during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Afcon Finals
Wednesday Jan 19, 2022. 17:11
Senegal captain Sadio Mane believes The Teranga Lions will be in their zone in the last 16 knockout phase of the AFCON 2021 that starts this Sunday.
The AFCON 2019 runners-up are unbeaten in Cameroon but have failed to convince in the preliminary phase despite winning Group C on 5 points in which they won one and drew two games that they wrapped up on January 18 with a 0-0 draw against Malawi.
“We have advanced even though we are all aware of the current situation of the team,” Mane told La Vie Senegalaise.
“This AFCON is not like the last one, it is difficult for us. We must continue to work and we all must be very patient. We will continue to improve and go all the way.”
Senegal reached the quarterfinals in 2017 and final in 2019.
Meanwhile, Senegal top Group C on 5 points, one point ahead of southern neighbours Guinea who held them 0-0 in their derby clash on January 14.
Malawi finished third on 4 points while Zimbabwe exited with 3 points.
Senegal will face the best third placed side from either Cape Verde, Comoros or Group D where Egypt, Sudan and Guinea Bissau vying for second and third spot on Wednesday evening.