Senegal will face Tanzania on Sunday in the opening match of Group C.
There are a whopping 109 places separating the two teams in the FIFA World Rankings and Senegal come into this match as clear favorites.
This is Tanzania’s second AFCON appearance and their first for nearly 40 years. They last qualified for the tournament in 1980, losing 2 and drawing 1 of their 3 group matches.
Senegal have never won the tournament but certainly have the squad to challenge for the title this year. They were runners up in 2002, losing to Cameroon on penalties in the final.
Senegal have an abundance of household names within their ranks. Kalidou Koulibaly is one the of the most highly rated center-backs in world football and Everton’s Idrissa Gana Gueye works tirelessly for his team in midfield.
Their star man is forward Sadio Mane, who recently won the Champions League with Liverpool however they will be without him for their opening match.
Mane picked up 2 yellow cards in the qualifiers which means he will miss the fixture with Tanzania but will be available for the following Group C matches against Algeria and Kenya.
Senegal have been in great form leading up to the tournament. They have won their last 6 matches and have only lost twice in their last 20 games.
Their most recent victory came in a friendly match against Nigeria. Gueye scored the winning goal and Senegal will go into the match against Tanzania on a high.
Tanzania’s recent form has been mixed. They only just managed to qualify for the 2019 AFCON and have failed to register consecutive wins since 2017.
Senegal and Tanzania have only previously met on two occasions. Both matches were in 2007 with Senegal winning one 4-0 and the other ending in a 1-1 draw.
It is highly unlikely that Tanzania will register their first ever victory over this particular opponent. Senegal’s squad is far stronger and they will be eager to get off to a winning start and take control of Group C.
Even without their talisman Mane, Senegal possess enough quality to overcome Tanzania and get the job done.
It’s likely to be a high scoring win for Senegal as they set out their stall at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations.