Goalless Draw Not Good Enough

03 September 2008

Despite their standing at the top of Group 6 in the round two qualifiers for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Senegal's Lions of Teranga cannot afford to be complacent. The goalless draw against Libya in this month’s friendly in Tripoli definitely didn’t live up to expections.

The team’s poor attacking display against Libya must be improved upon if they are to succeed in Blida next month when they meet Algeria in a crucial World Cup qualifier. Questions still remain whether French-based striker Mamadou Niang will make himself available after he opted out of the national team in June after becoming disillusioned with preparations for the African Cup of Nations. Niang finished second-highest scorer with 18 goals in Ligue 1 in France last season with Marseille, and his return would be a big boost to Senegal's qualification hopes. However, Stoke City midfielder Salif Diao, who helped Senegal reach the last eight at the 2002 World Cup, is back in favour after a four-year absence from the national side.