AFCON 2021 PREVIEW: Senegal vs Guinea
Written by Oluwaseun Oyediji
Two Liverpool stars (Sadio Mane and Naby Keita) will trade tackles when Senegal and Guinea square up in Group B matchday two games at the Kuekong Stadium, Bafousam, Cameroon.
Senegal
One of the pre-tournament favourites and Africa’s top-ranked nation by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), Senegal, managed to scape a 1-0 victory over Zimbabwe right at the death during their opening Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group B clash.
The “Lions of Teranga” had ample excuse for that tepid showing though, as they only had 18 players available due to illness and injuries, and they should prove a stronger force for this clash.
Style of play
Senegal are expected to dominate most of their games in the AFCON but Mendy will have a crucial role to play later on as he missed the last game due to COVID-19.
On the other end of the pitch, Mané will be expected to lead the line once again. Also 29, he contributed to 50% of Senegal’s goals in the 2019 AFCON, scoring three goals and providing an assist.
A 4-3-3 formation will likely be adopted by the team.
Form
If Senegal claims victory over Guinea, Senegal can all but seal the top spot.
That looks more than possible as Aliou Cisse’s men haven’t been beaten within 90 minutes across their last 12 games (nine wins and three draws), and that’s despite failing to keep a clean sheet in over half of those matches (58%).
Curiously, Senegal has also failed to keep a clean sheet in the same amount of competitive head to heads (64%), so this game could be more back and forth than some anticipate.
Players to watch
Sadio Mane’s winning goal for Senegal scored in the 90+7 minutes was the latest winning goal in normal time of an AFCON game since 2012.
Guinea
Although ranked 61 places worse than Senegal by FIFA, Guinea look like a rejuvenated side after following up three scoreless games with back-to-back wins.
This is the sixth occasion since the start of 2018 that Guinea has recorded back-to-back victories, though they didn’t follow up with a third in any previous five (three draws and two defeats).
Style of play
Due to Senegal’s style of play, Guinea is expected to defend and try to catch Senegal on the counter.
Guinea adopted a 5-3-2 formation during its 1-0 win over Malawi and will likely adopt the same pattern or better still make use of the 5-4-1 formation against one of the tournament favourites.
Form
After their 1-0 win one matchday one, Guinea appears primed to progress from the AFCON group stages once again, having reached the knockout phase in five of their last six tournament appearances.
Players to watch
Facing Mane will be his Liverpool FC teammate and Guinea star Naby Keita – four of the central midfielder’s last six goals at club level were match openers.
Head to Head
Senegal has won three of the last five meetings between both sides.
Guinea has won the other two games including their last encounter in 2019 although during the home-based African Nations Championship (CHAN 2019)
Even with a strong start, Guinea should be wary though as they have failed to win three of their last five games when taking a lead (three draws), while the Guinea side of 1994 dropped a 1-0 half time lead to lose 2-1 in the only AFCON group stage head to head.
Verdict:
A tight game with Senegal getting a slim win.
Senegal 1-0 Guinea
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