Senegal's Sadio Mane reacts during the Africa Cup of Nations semi final match against Burkina Faso at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Yaounde, Cameroon, on February 2, 2022. File Photo / Reuters
Doha: Senegalese football player Sadio Mane underlined his country's aspiration to reach advanced stages in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, stressing that Qatar's national team, which has been drawn in Group A along with his team, will be tough opponents on home soil.
Mane, who has been chosen as the best player in Africa this year, said in an interview with FIFA, "Qatar will be tough opponents on home soil. Just like us, they head into the World Cup with a status to defend as Asian champions. We can't overlook any of the teams in our group. We have to be wary, focused and, above all, just take one game at a time.
Mane praised the achievement of the Senegalese team in the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan.
"The 2002 generation are our role models. That team put Senegal on the world football map. They rewrote our nation's history and were their heirs. They're record-breakers, and all records are there to be broken. I can tell you now that we will be heading to Qatar with a clear idea of our strengths and will be giving our all to get as far as possible. I know that's also what our predecessors wanted to see from us. You only have to look at just how emotional they were when we lifted the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year. "If you get the chance to interview the legendary El-Hadji Diouf, he'll tell you that he'd love to see us go all the way at this World Cup," he said.
The Senegalese team will begin their journey to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 against the Netherlands on November 21 at Al Thumama Stadium, followed by a match against Qatar on November 25 at the same venue. They will meet Ecuador on November 29 at Khalifa International Stadium.
