Senegal looking to improve their attack

by Graeme Jackson

Saturday Jun 05, 2021. 13:00

Senegal will be looking to use tonight’s friendly international against Zambia as a chance to improve their attacking efficiency, coach Aliou Cisse has admitted.

The Teranga Lions and Chipolopolo will meet at Stade Lat-Dior in Thies on Saturday evening, with both teams looking to sharpen up aspects of their game ahead of the group stage of 2022 World Cup qualifiers getting underway later this year.

Senegal may be one of the best teams on the continent – and boast one of African football’s most recognised attacking stars in the shape of Sadio Mane – but they are not prolific in terms of goal scoring: in their last 12 matches (encompassing friendlies, African Nations Championship (CHAN) finals and Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers) Senegal have scored more than two goals in a match only twice.

“I’m not going to reveal to you the content of the camp, but we worked a lot in front of goals because to win a game you have to score goals,” said Cisse, as quoted by APS.

The former national team star added, “there is a way to score a lot more goals” and says he is looking for “big performances” against Zambia and their next friendly, against Cape Verde on Tuesday.

A man who could help Senegal up their attacking game is Ismaila Sarr, who comes to the squad fresh from 14 goals in 41 appearances for Watford this past season – helping him earn the club’s player of the year award.

Zambia, meanwhile, will go on to play Benin and Sudan in their friendly schedule for June.