ACTUALITE |
26.01.2002
Senegal v Zambia
Group D: Senegal v Zambia, KO 1530 GMT, Bamako
By BBC Sport Online`s Martin Davies in Bamako
Many teams in Mali are preparing for their second group games with injuries but in the Senegalese camp, at least, all is rosy.
The side has been training without any injuries as the players and technical staff prepare for their second game against Zambia.
Everyone is confident of victory to guarantee a quarter-final place.
And the rise of Senegalese football has been incredible.
As hosts in 1992, they only managed one win, against Kenya, before going out at the quarter- final stage.
They failed to qualify in 1996 and 1998 and only qualified two years ago through a triangular play-off scheme.
Now Senegal are being considered as one of the favourites and perceived as a big scalp.
Their stylish midfielder Khalilou Fadiga believes it is team spirit and togetherness which has put them in such a strong position.
"We play for each other and do not play as individuals.
"We don`t want people to talk of individuals but to know that Senegal is good as a footballing nation."
And he claims the togetherness continues off the pitch.
"Back in the capital Dakar, my mother and El-Hadj Diouf`s mother go to the market to shop together," he said.
Looking ahead to the Zambia game he believes that they are tactically well-organized and fast.
And certainly from the evidence of the game between Zambia and Tunisia, Fadiga and his colleagues will have to work hard to unlock a defence marshalled by Moses Sichone and the hard-working Misheck Lungu.
Flu ravaged
"It is a bit like the game with Egypt, it will be tough and we have never beaten Zambia," Fadiga added.
The news has not been so good in the Zambian camp of late with several of their players being hit by a flu virus.
Team officials say most of the players are now recovering well but experienced midfielders Dennis Lota, Misheck Lungu and goalkeeper Davis Phiri are doubtful for the match against Senegal.
It`s unfortunate that they contracted flu, and in addition to the two others who have malaria, you can see that we have a now have a weakened squad," Pivot Simwanza, deputy delegation leader said.
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