Senegal looking to avoid an AFCON upset by Equatorial Guinea
There’s no hiding the vast difference in ranking places both on a continental level and a global scale between the teams that are set to battle for the final spot in the semifinals at the Africa Cup of Nations 2021.
Africa’s best Senegal, are hot favorites to take their place among the semi finalists and perhaps even go all the way to improve on their runners up position attained at the previous edition of the tournament. However, this year’s edition has shown us that having a “favorites” tag means anything but an actual progression in the tournament. Ghana and the defending champions Algeria are evidence of this as both finished bottom of their groups.
Equatorial Guinea would be hoping they can be next to cause a major upset in Cameroon, despite being one of the lowest ranked teams at AFCON 2021. The National Thunder cannot be taken lightly especially given their impressive record when they are at the finals. At their tournament debut in 2012 which they co-hosted, Equatorial Guinea reached the quarter-finals and in 2015 where they were the sole hosts, they reached the semifinals. At both those tournaments, Senegal did not even qualify for the knockout phase, so being in the same tie as Equatorial Guinea does not bode well for the Lions of Teranga.
Senegal can take confidence from the fact that the National Thunder have not shone all that much, scoring just two goals from open play in four matches on route to the quarters. The Senegalese meanwhile boast of the strongest defense having not conceded thus far. The Lions of Teranga have slightly been goal shy themselves though, scoring their three goals in just two of their four matches.
Despite the gulf in ranking places, a tight tussle looks to be on the cards between Senegal and Equatorial Guinea, the Senegalese would see no better way than a victory to overcome the voodoo held by their next opponents. Equatorial Guinea would be out to maintain the curse as they look to advance to just their second semifinal at AFCON.
Who wouldn’t want the underdog to win…..they have come this far through hard and smart work and dedication…of course Senegal didn’t come to the party to sit and watch….am hoping it will be a fire cracker of a game…