Sunday Oliseh: Why Mane-less Senegal will ‘surprise the world’ in Qatar

By Olu Dare 

Nigeria great Sunday Oliseh claims Senegal and Morocco have the best chance to do well of the African teams at the World Cup in Qatar.

The Lions of Teranga and the Atlas Lions are among the five African teams competing for the World Cup trophy in Qatar.

The former Super Eagle is delighted with the progress made by the African teams and the quality within the squads but went on to explain why he feels the reigning African champions will do particularly well.

“I watched the African teams and I’m impressed with what I saw. I think we have two solid teams,” Oliseh told the Nation.

“The five of them are solid and this is the first all five teams are going to the World Cup with African handlers. It is a landmark. However, two of them on paper, and what I have seen stand out, and that is Senegal and Morocco.

“Now, which of the teams will be able to apply the Enhanced Football Intelligence metrics, and a solid game plan and be able to move to the next level and surprise the world, I see Senegal. They are a solid team.

Morocco is not playing African football again, they are not playing Arab football or European football, they are playing a mix of all, so it’s going to be interesting. So, let’s see if they can keep up the pressure.”

Senegal are taking part for the third time. During their debut in 2002, they reached the quarter-final while in 2018 they crashed out in the group stage.

They will start their campaign on Monday against the Netherlands. Qatar and Ecuador are the other two teams in Group A.