This is perhaps the most famously ambitious prediction about the future of African football that never saw the light of day – nor came anywhere close. It still isn’t.
The year was 1974 when skin, three time winner . with Brazilboldly predicted an African winner of the World Cup by the year 2000.
In fact, 21 years into the 21st century, no African country has been at the forefront of the quarter-finals. One of three teams to do so was the Senegalese team that stunned the world in 2002. South Korea And Japan.
Sadio Mane-led Senegal lost in the final of the 2019 African Cup of Nations
The side has players like Kalido Koulibaly (left) and Chekhou Kouyte (right).
Now, the nation’s next generation of stars is eyeing a run deep in Qatar next year.
They will face Namibia twice in the second round of African qualifying within the next week, boiling over to five two-legged ties in the third round with the continent’s representatives at the 2022 World Cup early next year.
Pele once boldly predicted an African winner of the World Cup by the year 2000
Senegal is, undoubtedly, among the favorites to qualify. Why? The West African nation has brought up its next generation of stars amid impressive careers in European football, and it should not be underestimated to make it to Qatar.
In Russia three years ago, under the leadership of Chekhou Koyte, Senegal was certainly unlucky not to qualify for the knockout stages. They finished joint-second in their group with Japan, but missed out on a poor fair play record.
But Senegal, in 2002, is one of only three African nations to reach the quarter-finals.
In 2019, they reached the finals of the African Cup of Nations where they lost to Algeria in the final in a disappointing manner. They’ll hope to have a better go in the new year when the continent’s stars face off in Cameroon.
But the ultimate goal will be success on the grandest stage of them all. And what is success? Knockout phase for this current crop. But he will also be eyeing another last-eight spot.
Their squad is full of stars, led by Liverpool forward Sadio Mane. A loyal contributor to his country, Mane has scored 25 goals in 77 caps since making his debut in 2012 and will be on the side playing Namibia despite the discomfort he faces upon his return to Britain.
Chelsea’s No. 1 Edouard Mendy will also have to go through a similar fortnight. The Champions League winner gives his country something that not many African nations have: a first-class goalkeeper playing at the highest level.
Edouard Mendy, Chelsea’s No. 1, is a first-class goalkeeper who is a huge asset to his country
In midfield is PSG’s Idrisa Guay, who has the most caps in the current group, with 80. Is
Ahead of him in defense is Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly – who took over from Coyte as captain, along with PSG’s Abdu Diallo. Because of the center back partnership, not half bad.
Another PSG star in midfield is Idrissa Guay. The ex-Everton man, who scored and starred in last week’s win against Manchester City, is all his box-to-box player. Leicester’s Numpalis Mendy, or actually Couet, are also workaholics used in midfield.
Then with Mane in the attack you have Watford’s Ismaila Sarr, who has already registered 36 caps at the age of 23, and Villarreal’s Boule Dia.
Overall, this is a first-class group of players, definitely the best organization for a player in Africa.
With Mane in the attack you have Ismaila Sarr of Watford, who has 36 caps to her name
Their manager is Aliu Sisse, who captained his country in the 2002 World Cup.
His goal now is to achieve on the international stage – and no longer live in the shadow of the 2002 class.
That side was, apart from host South Korea, the story of the 2002 World Cup.
They famously beat world champions France in their opening match, with Papa Bouba Diope – who tragically passed away last year – close-scoring the only goal of the game.
Draws with Denmark and Uruguay assured them a last-16 tie against Sweden, which they beat 2–1 after extra time courtesy of a Henri Camara double.
Papa Booba Diop bundled from close range to guide Senegal to victory against France in 2002
The likes of El Haji Diouf, who later moved to Liverpool, were heroes in their homeland.
They then lost to Turkey after extra time in the quarterfinals in Osaka. However, a team of youngsters, many of whom went on to play in English clubs, became heroes overnight in their homeland.
El Hadji Diouf and Salif Diao moved to Liverpool, joining Camara Wolves and then countless Premier League outfits, while Bouba Diop joined Fulham.
And who was their captain? Montpellier defender Aliu Sisse, who has been the national team manager since 2015.
A good omen for success in Qatar next year, one would think.
If this Senegalese team gets a place in the World Cup next year, then it should not be underestimated.
Considering that qualification has been achieved in the coming months, Senegal will not be a team to be taken lightly, with quality all over the pitch, especially down the backbone of the team.
Who knows? If a favorable draw opens, perhaps Pele’s prediction of the past could come true next winter in the heat of the Middle East.
stay tuned.
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