African champion Sadio Mane anticipates the match against Qatar’s Al-Annabi will challenge his Senegalese team at the FIFA World Cup later this year.
The superstar will take every game seriously and will not undervalue any of the other teams that were also placed in Group A with his team.
“Qatar will be a formidable opponent at home. Like us, they have a title to defend as Asian champions going into the World Cup. We cannot ignore any of the teams in our group, Mane remarked in a FIFA interview.
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“We have to be wary, focused, and, above all, just take one game at a time.”
Champions of Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal, has been dubbed a dark horse for this year’s tournament due to their ability to defend and attack the pitch.
Like Qatar’s men, the Senegal squad is youthful, with an average age of 26, both teams will witness a fast-paced game.
Time is of the essence for Mane as he has bagged titles at the club and the continental stage, however the World Cup trophy showcase sits empty for Africa’s best footballer.
In the interview with FIFA, Mane reminisced about Senegal’s World Cup journey, toasting the 2002 campaign in South Korea and Japan.
“The 2002 generation are our role models. That team put Senegal on the world football map. They rewrote our nation’s history and were their heirs. They’re record-breakers, and all records are there to be broken,” said the Bayern Munich forward.
“I can now assure you that we will be traveling to Qatar knowing exactly what our strengths are and that we will give it everything we have to advance as far as we can. I am aware that was also what our forebears expected of us. Mane added, “You only have to look at how moved they were when we won the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.
After playing the Netherlands on November 21 at Al Thumam Stadium and facing Ecuador on November 29 at Khalifa International Stadium, Senegal will play Qatar on November 25.
