Image copyright: Getty Images
Senegal v Zimbabwe
2021 Africa Cup of Nations
Group B, Matchday 1
Monday 10 January 2022
Kouekong Stadium, Bafoussam
Kick-off at 14:00
Senegal will look for an opening win in their
2021 Africa Cup of Nations campaign when they face Group B rivals Zimbabwe at the Kouekong Stadium in Bafoussam on the afternoon of Monday 10 January 2022, kick-off at 14:00.
Senegal come into the tournament as one of the favourites to claim the title, though the Teranga Lions have never won the AFCON before. This year will mark their 16th appearance at a Nations Cup tournament and their best finish is runner-up – attained in 2002 and at the last edition in 2019, when they were narrowly beaten by Algeria in the final.
Going one step further and lifting the AFCON trophy for the first time will be the aim for coach Alious Cisse, who can call on stars such as Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gueye and Sadio Mane.
“I want this Africa Cup of Nations [title]. I have been running after it since 1999,” said Cisse, who was part of the team that lost in the final to Cameroon in 2002.
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, will be appearing at the AFCON for the third successive time and a fifth overall. The Warriors have never advanced beyond the group stage, but will hope that they can achieve exactly that in Cameroon.
Caretaker coach Norman Mapeza has been overseeing preparations for the AFCON and was pleased with a recent 0-0 friendly draw with fellow finalists Sudan: “I think the guys played very well, especially in the first half. We had some very clear cut chances, unfortunately maybe the sharpness is not yet there. But I’m more than pleased with the performance.”
In head-to-head stats, Senegal and Zimbabwe have met in nine matches across all competitions since 1985, with the Teranga Lions claiming five wins compared to four for the Warriors, while zero games have been drawn.
The teams last met in July 2021, in a group stage match at the COSAFA Cup in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, with Senegal winning 2-1 thanks to goals from Abdoul N’Doye and Mouhamed Ba.
Senegal v Zimbabwe – Head-to-head
Matches played: 9
Senegal wins: 5
Zimbabwe wins: 4
Draws: 0
Sign up at Betway and enjoy solid action & heart-racing thrills when you bet on soccer
For all the latest sports news, betting tips and promotions follow
Betway on
Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram and
YouTube.
Download the Betway App.