Senegal look to wrap up qualification

by BackPageTXT

Monday Mar 28, 2016. 07:40

Senegal will look to seal qualification for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations when they face Niger in Niamey on Tuesday. Kick-off at the Stade General Seyni Kountche is set for 15h00 CAT.

The Teranga Lions moved to the verge of booking a spot at next year’s tournament finals with a 2-0 win over Mena in Dakar on Saturday evening, with goals from Mohamed Diame and Oumar Niasse securing victory.

Now Aliou Cisse’s side will go in search of a fourth successive win in Group K, which will be enough to mathematically secure qualification if the match between the other group teams, Namibia and Burundi, ends in a draw.

Even if the other clash produces a winner, Senegal will still need just a point from their two remaining games against the Brave Warriors and the Swallows – teams they have already comfortably beaten in this campaign.

Cisse declared himself satisfied with the win over Niger on Saturday, though emphasised that his side could have scored more goals. He has also warned his team to expect a tougher assignment in Niamey.

“It will be a difficult game, but we are prepared to fight and put in the effort to come away with victory,” he said after the match in Dakar.

For Niger, the match represents a chance to claim a second win and lift themselves from the foot of the table, though Senegal will be tough opponents to get the better of.

Algerian referee Mohamed Benouza will take charge of the match in Niamey. The other Group K game sees Namibia host Burundi in Windhoek on the same day.