ACTUALITE |
26.03.2002
Senegal`s spirit high for Bolivia
Senegal`s defeat in the finals of the African Nations Cup in February has not dampened football enthusiasm here.
The country has has posted its bid to host the 2006 Nations Cup, 14 years after hosting the tournament.
Coach Bruno Metsu has made himself even more popular by marrying Senegalese Rokhaya Ndiaye, known as `Daba`.
Everyone is now talking of the World Cup finals, which is nine weeks away.
Senegal play the opener against world champions France.
There is also some excitement about Wednesday`s home friendly against Bolivia.
No pedigree
But the quality of opposition is attracting criticisms.
Ousmane Sarr, an avid supporter of Senegal`s Lions, said many fans would prefer watching Brazil.
Senegal players celebrate a 2002 Nations Cup win
"There is some interest. But I`m not sure the Bolivians carry enough weight," he said.
"We`ve got to start playing the likes of Brazil and Germany."
Sections of the Senegalese press have also questioned the opposition.
The Dakar-based daily newspaper Walfadjri suggested Bolivia does not have the pedigree to give Senegal a real lesson in Latin American football.
Bolivia`s World Cup qualifying campaign included a 3-1 home win against Brazil.
Little practice
But they were thrashed 6-0 in a recent friendly by the former four-time world champions.
For Wednesday`s game, Bolivian coach Carlos Trucco has put together an emergency team.
Khalilou Fadiga will pull the strings for Senegal on Wednesday
Four of the nation`s top clubs refused to release their players, while only Julio Cesar Baldivieso play outside abroad.
The squad, many of them new-comers and teenagers without club experience, had only a day`s practice before the trip to Africa.
But playing Bolivia will allow Senegal taste Latin American football.
Uruguay as well as Denmark are in their World Cup group.
Metsu has called up two new players to join the squad that won the Nations Cup silver for the warm-up.
The duo are striker Mamadou Niang with French club Troyes and AC Milan defender Mohamed Adama Sarr.
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Hits: 1 | Source:BBC | |
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