TERANGA LIONESSES AND WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THEIR TEAM AHEAD OF THE WAFCON IN MOROCCO

Teams Profile: Senegal

Nickname: Teranga Lionesses

FIFA RANKING: 89

HOW THEY QUALIFIED                                                                                                                                         The Teranga lionesses pulled off a smash start on their qualification race, dominating Liberia in the first round last October. They continued in that vein, upsetting 2018 semi-finalists Mali to seal their return to the women’s showpiece.

First Round – Liberia 1-2 Senegal (0-6)

Second Round – Senegal 1-0 Mali (0-1) (3-2 APK)

PREPARATIONS:

The Senegalese side began her preparations on Monday April 25 with a group of 30 players from the domestic league, including Dieynaba Ndaw, who plays for Duke University in the United States of America. This training camp is holding at the Youssoupha Ndiaye Centre of Technical Excellence in Guerrero.

COACH: Mame Moussa Cisse                                                                                                                             After a botched 2016 attempt, Cisse finally proved his mettle in Senegalese football on his second stint since February 2020, guiding to the Lionesses to end a decade long wait for the nation’s return to the continent. Following shock elimination of Liberia and Mali during the qualifiers, Cisse will aiming to go all the way and surpass their previous group stage winless feat.

KEY PLAYERS

Safietou Sagna                                                                                                                                                      The Lionesses captain, who acquired initial trainings at Casa Sports before suiting up for Lycee Ameth Fall of US Parcelles Assainies, and later joined French side Bourges last summer. The midfielder will be offer a great addition to the squad through her experience, having featured in the 2012 edition.

Awa Diakhate                                                                                                                                                        The Lionesses playmaker starred for AS Dakar Sacre Coeur in the maiden TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League, WAFU-A qualifiers in Cape Verde and her good form earned her a contract abroad to French side Bourges. During the WAFCON qualifiers, she made her mark, scoring twice – a goal each in the two legs against Liberia and her fine form in front of goal plus exposure to European football will come good for Senegal.

Nguenar Ndiaye                                                                                                                                                   One of the exceptional talents in the Lionesses’ ranks during the qualifying series as she contributed four goals, including a hat-trick against Liberia and the shock matchwinner against Mali in Thies to ensure the return to the continent.

The Mbour born forward is also one of the Senegalese trio snapped up by Bourges along with Diakhate and Sagna. For her contributions, Ndiaye will be one of the key elements for Senegal as they seek to make a mark in Morocco.