Africa’s Number One Ranked Team, Senegal To Begin Their AFCON Quest With Zimbabwe Clash

By Ogo Clarkson

Africa’s number one ranked team, Senegal will begin their quest for their first win of the Africa Cup of Nations when they clash with Zimbabwe at the Bafoussam Omnisport Kouekong Stadium.

They are highly tipped to win, but it will certainly not be a stroll in the park.

Senegal have won their two previous encounters with Zimbabwe at the Africa Cup of Nations, both by a 2-0 scoreline (in 2006 and 2017).

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Senegal are making their 16th appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations. It’s a record for a team that has never won the trophy. The closest they came to winning the tournament was in 2002 (lost the final on penalties against Cameroon) and 2019 (lost 1-0 to Algeria in the final).

Senegal have won their opening game in each of the last three Africa Cup of Nations (v Ghana in 2015, v Tunisia in 2017, v Tanzania in 2019).
Since 2017, Senegal have kept more clean sheets than any other team in the Africa Cup of Nations (8 in 11 matches).

Zimbabwe are making their fifth appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations. They have finished bottom of their group in each of their four previous participations and never kept a clean sheet (12 games).

Sadio Mané has scored or assisted 43% of Senegal’s goals over the last two Africa Cup of Nations (5 goals, 1 assist). He’s also completed 37 dribbles (3.4 per game) since his debut in the competition in 2015, more than any other player over that period.