Main man Mane critical to Senegal hopes in Colombia showdown
SAMARA – Agence France-Presse
Senegal must cut out the defensive errors and find a way to get Sadio Mane firing like he does for Liverpool if it is to tame Colombia on June 28 and reach the World Cup last 16.
Coach Aliou Cisse was critical of his pacy and powerful side after a 2-2 draw with Japan on June 24, saying the opponent was the better team, and called on forward Mane to step it up.
“Frankly, we were not very good,” concluded Cisse, Senegal captain in its run to the quarterfinals in 2002, the country’s only previous appearance at a World Cup.
Cisse was particularly unhappy with the way that Senegal twice threw away the lead in Yekaterinburg.
Substitute Keisuke Honda’s leveler, 12 minutes from time, was an especially poor goal to give away as goalkeeper Khadim N’Diaye flapped at a cross.
Victory would have all but propelled Senegal into the last 16, but it now faces a Colombia side in Samara that has its tail up following a classy 3-0 win over abject Poland.
Going into the final round of games in Group H, Japan and Senegal have four points, Colombia have three and pointless Poland are already eliminated.
It means that a draw for Cisse’s side will be enough to progress.
