Bullish Eswatini out to upset Senegal

Senegal will play host to Eswatini in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification Group I match at the Stade Lat-Dior in Thiès on Tuesday.

Kick-off is at 6pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).

The Lions of Teranga dropped points from the first time in Group I when they drew 0-0 with Congo-Brazzaville away in a game which was played on 26 March.

Senegal, who were one of the first teams to qualify for the finals, are placed at the top of the group standings - five points above second-placed Congo-Brazzaville.

Aliou Cisse, the Senegal head coach, handed Pape Matar Sarr, Abdou Diallo and Nampalys Mendy their debuts for the Lions of Teranga against Congo and he hopes they improve ahead of their clash with Eswatini.

"For a footballer who is playing for the first time in the national team, there is pressure," Cisse said.

"I can understand that they are under pressure to learn about African football. Pope Matar Sarr is a young player, who is discovering this intensity for the first time.

"Nampalys, Abdou Diallo have never played in Africa. Today, they have just discovered the realities of African football. It is something to salute," he continued.

"They did their job. And I am sure that if they continue to make the national team squad, they will improve. We must continue to encourage them and move forward."

Meanwhile, Eswatini remain winless in Group I after succumbing to a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Guinea-Bissau at home on 26 March.

Sihlangu Semnikati (King's Shield) are sitting in the fourth spot on the group standings and their hopes of qualifying have diminished as they are five points behind third-placed Guinea-Bissau.

Dominic Kunene, the Eswatini head coach, says they are not worried about Senegal's big-name players as they look to end their qualifying campaign with a victory.

“We will be playing against 11 Senegal players and it does not matter who is available or not," Kunene said on Times of Swaziland.

"So, our approach even in that game will be to compete against the players in the starting line-up for Senegal, and not worry about the names.

"I can assure you that we will do our utmost best to win both matches because there is also pride at stake for us to protect."

The previous encounter between Senegal and Eswatini was on 17 November 2019.

Senegal thumped Eswatini 4-1 in the 2022 Afcon qualifier Group I encounter at the Mavuso Sports Centre in the Eswatini city of Manzini.