PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Kalidou Koulibaly – Can he help Senegal keep a clean sheet once again?

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Tuesday Nov 14, 2017. 13:00

After helping his side to clinch a spot at the 2018 FIFA World Cup over South Africa, Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly will hope to finish the job at home.

Based in the Italian Serie A with Napoli, the Lions of Teranga centre back was instrumental for the West Africans as they downed the 1996 African champions 2-0 in Polokwane, last Friday.

However, the towering defender still has a tough assignment ahead of him as they will want to register another win on Tuesday in Dakar.

‘WE MUST FINISH WITH A FLOURISH’ – SA COACH STUART BAXTER

Although coach Aliou Cisse's men lost the initial qualifier 2-1 last year, the Senegalese FA protested to FIFA for a replay and it was ordered after referee Joseph Lamptey was guilty of match manipulation.

The order meant that both sides had to go all out for a win in last week's clash, and Cisse counted on the defender to help avoid concede away for them to wrap up their qualifying campaign with a convincing win.

But the man linked with a move to Liverpool, Barcelona and reigning English Premier League champions Chelsea, ensured the likes of Percy Tau, Sibusiso Vilakazi and Badley Grobler did not find their way through.

With the ticket to Russia already secured, the 26-year-old defender has his sights set on another clean sheet against the overrated Bafana Bafana in front of their home crowds.

On the other hand, Koulibaly will also want to put a cherry on top after realising his World Cup dream by winning the CAF African Footballer of the Year Award next January as well as securing a big move to the EPL.

In the end, the EPL is one of the most competitive leagues in Europe and should he make his move in January, he will be a complete product when he makes his bow at the world's biggest stage in Russia