Senegal vs South Africa preview

Posted on | January 30, 2008 | No Comments

South Africa meet Senegal in Kumasi in a match that both teams must win to retain any hopes of going through to the next round.

Senegal were stunned 1-3 by Angola after leading the game going into the lemon break. That leaves them with a point from two games. They need to win this and hope that Angola get the better of Tunisia. Henri Kasperczak has resigned as national coach, and that means that the team is undergoing a crisis of sorts. One could also see the Senegalese players arguing with each other during the Angola game, and despite having one of the best teams in the tournament on paper, the Teranga Lions have not managed to come up with the results that people expect out of top teams. Assistant coach Lamine N’Diaye will take over the team for this game. The tackles were flying in against Angola, and four Senegalese players got carded. Moustapha Sall is suspended while Habib Beye, Abdoulaye Faye, Souleymane Diawara and Diomansy Kamara are on one yellow. Papa Waigo could return from injury, and Henri Camara may get his first start of the tournament.

Life has been tough for the young South African team. They needed Elrio Van Heerden to rescue them against Angola, and turned in a forgettable performance against Tunisia. South Africa need to win this game by a huge margin and hope that Tunisia beat the Palancas Negras If Rowan Fernandez is still not fit, Moeneeb Josephs continues between the sticks. There are doubts regarding the fitness of fullback Tsepo Masilela and Steven Pienaar, who created South Africa’s only goal of the evening for Katlego Mphela. Aaron Mokoena and Bryce Moon are on a yellow, with no South African getting booked against Tunisia, in comparison to Senegal’s physical game in midfield against Angola . Against the likes of Diouf and co., defensive mistakes need to be avoided at all costs. Carlos Alberto Parriera will be hoping for divine intervention if the Bafana Bafana are to qualify for the next round. South Africa’s finishing needs to improve if their passing game has to result in goals.

Senegal are desperate but so are their opponents. If the Teranga Lions can combine as a team, there is no reason why they shouldn’t beat South Africa. 3-1 to Senegal- Diouf, Niang, Camara and Zuma on the scoresheet. The last three encounters between the two have seen Senegal winning two, with one being drawn.

Related posts:

1. Angola vs Senegal preview
2. South Africa vs Tunisia preview
3. Tunisia vs Senegal preview
4. South Africa vs Angola preview
5. Angola vs Tunisia preview

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