Preview
Abuja, July 12, 2019 (NAN) The Teranga Lions of Senegal and the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia are two sides which have no doubt distinguished themselves at the 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.
But Senegal have shown they deserve more going by their performance so far, winning twice during three group stage matches, unlike Tunisia who drew all three.
This should undoubtedly draw the shape of all thoughts on Sunday as the Teranga Lions battle the Carthage Eagles for a place in the competition’s final match.
And it can be now or never for players many have come to see as belonging to the “Golden Era’’ of the Senegalese national team.
The Teranga Lions boast of some of the biggest names in African football and their 2019 AFCON squad is arguably the most individually talented.
Senegal have appeared at the AFCON 14 times since 1964 and before now, even though the highest they have been able to achieve was a runners-up position in 2002.
But there is something different about the Senegalese side in Egypt this term and their intention was made known right from during the qualifiers.
They garnered 16 points, more than any other team, during the AFCON qualifying campaign, with five wins and one draw.
They have only lost two games at the AFCON since 2015, and both defeats (0-2 in 2015 and 0-1 in 2019) were to the same side —- Algeria.
Senegal finished second in Group C behind Algeria, but after scoring five goals in the group stage, their attacking prowess appeared to have waned.
A 1-0 victory against Uganda in the second round and another hard-fought lone goal win in the quarter-finals against Benin Republic suggest they are struggling to find the back of the net.
However, they have done well not to let in many goals, as their solid backline, led by Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, has only conceded one goal in five games.
If the Teranga Lions want to roar into the final of the 2019 AFCON, there has to be a better link-up play between their star-studded midfield and their A-list attack.
Everton’s Idrissa Gueye and Crystal Palace’s Cheikhou Kouyate have to play closer to Sadio Mane, Mbaye Niang and Keita Balde to create more scoring chances against a susceptible Tunisian defence.
The Tunisians themselves took a rather complicated route to the semi-finals of the 2019 AFCON, with the North Africans only garnering three points and finishing second in Group E.
Drawing 1-1 with group leaders Mali was not necessarily a bad result, but drawing 1-1 with Angola and a goalless draw with Mauritania were not such an impressive way to progress.
In their second round game against west African giants Ghana, the Tunisians were lucky to scrape through.
Ferjani Sassi scored the winning kick in sublime fashion as the Carthage Eagles pipped the Black Stars to progress with a 5-4 victory on penalties, following a 1-1 regulation time draw.
Although the Tunisians have an enviable record of qualifying for every final tournament since 1994, their best record was winning the title on home soil in 2004.
Before the quarter-final match against Madagascar, the Carthage Eagles had not won any 2019 AFCON game in open play, and had not scored more than one goal in a game.
However, they were clinical in their 3-0 thrashing of the tournament’s debutants and surprise package.
They ended Madagascar’s fairytale AFCON journey with a magnificent all-round display, which could only boost their confidence going into the semi-finals against Senegal.
Should the Carthage Eagles put up a similar performance against Senegal on Sunday, they just may outwit their west African opponents.
But there are thorns on the path of Tunisia going into Sunday’s game.
They had reached the quarter-finals but no further in five of the last seven editions of the AFCON, including each of the last two.
Now that they have already surpassed that record, they have to choose between hunger for more or complacency.
But it is clear the Senegalese, like never before, will test the level of their motivation.
With a close head-to-head in this tournament (five meetings, three draws and one win apiece), Sunday’s game is definitely not going to be a walk in the park for either side.
But as it is now, the Carthage Eagles should be wary of the Teranga Lions tt Cairo’s 30 June Stadium on Sunday.(NAN)
KIA/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)
