In 2002, Senegal made history. In their first-ever World Cup match, they beat defending champions France 1-0. Papa Bouba Diop scored the winning goal, while stars like Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane were left stunned. On the bench that day was a young Pape Thiaw, now Senegal’s head coach.
Today, the two teams meet again at the World Cup, this time at MetLife Stadium. The big question: can Senegal repeat that famous win?
Why Senegal Can Win
Senegal are no longer outsiders. They have a strong and experienced team, including Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly, Édouard Mendy, and Nicolas Jackson.
Coach Pape Thiaw believes in his team. Senegal have qualified for the World Cup three times in a row and have reached multiple AFCON finals. They are confident and ready.
France have also struggled against African teams in recent World Cups, losing to Senegal (2002), South Africa (2010), and Tunisia (2022).
Why It Won’t Be Easy
France are still one of the best teams in the world. Kylian Mbappé is in top form and close to becoming France’s all-time top scorer. Michael Olise has also been outstanding, creating chances all season.
On paper, France is stronger.
A Game Full of Storylines
Interestingly, many Senegal players were born in France. This adds another layer to the match, as they face the country where they grew up.
Senegal’s 2002 win is still one of Africa’s greatest football moments. Whether they can create another today is what everyone is waiting to see.
Africa Presents is a Pan-African digital magazine and monthly publication covering politics, business, economy, culture, tech, and the stories shaping Africa and its diaspora. Visit africapresents.com and follow @AfricaPresents for daily coverage and monthly themed magazine editions.
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