The Lions of Teranga take on Cape Verde on Tuesday in a round-of-16 clash at 17:00 GMT with a slot in the quarter-finals at stake.
Match Preview
Can Senegal Start Scoring Goals?
A solitary penalty goal throughout the group stage matches is a disappointing statistic for Senegal.
Seen as one of the pre-tournament favorites, Senegal will have to get the best out of their talented forwards to stand a chance of defeating Cape Verde on Tuesday.
Can Cape Verde Cause an Upset in the Round-of-16?
Cape Verde are punching above their weight at the tournament in Cameroon. They will be happy to take the fight to Senegal on Tuesday.
Form Guide
Senegal
The Lions of Teranga finished their group stage efforts with 1 win and two barren draws.
They have scored a solitary penalty goal through the tournament so far, which shows that they are having trouble getting the best out of their star forward.
Cape Verde
Cape Verde won a single match in the group stage in the 1-0 defeat of Ethiopia. They also lost one (1-0) to Burkina Faso, and impressively drew 1-1 with hosts Cameroon.
Team News
The Senegal camp reports a clean bill of health for their squad ahead of the round-of-16 clash with Cape Verde.
Cape Verde have all their players fit and ready to take part in the knockout stage against pre-tournament favorites Senegal on Tuesday.
Possible Starting Lineups
Senegal
Mendy, S. Ciss, A. Diallo, K. Koulibaly, B. Sarr; I Gueye, N. Mendy, C. Kouyate; S. Mane, H. Diallo, B. Dia
Cape Verde
Vozinha, J. Fortes, Diney, R. Lopes, Stopira, D. Tavares; W. Semedo, P. Andrade, K. Santos; L. Semedo, J. Monteiro
Players to Watch
Roberto Lopes
The Shamrock Rovers defender is crucial for Cape Verde’s ability to remain competitive in the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
Cape Verde have kept one clean sheet and have conceded only two goals, which has been part of their group sage efforts that led to qualification to the round of 16.
Roberto Lopes will be crucial at the center of defense as Cape Verde will seek to contain the marquee attacking talents of Senegal.
Sadio Mane
Disappointingly, Senegal have scored a solitary goal in the 1-0 win over Zimbabwe. The goal was notched by Sadio Mane at the 97th minute via a penalty.
Heading into the round-of-16, Senegal will be hoping to step up their performances and create a platform for their forwards to shine.
Their hopes will once again rest on Mane, who is one of the most accomplished goal scorers and creators in the world of football.
The Liverpool forward will be itching to go and show his class and help the pre-tournament favorites to reach the quarter-finals.
Prediction
Cape Verde will approach this match like they approached the group stage. They will play with a back five, squeeze all the space, and attack through transitions.
Senegal will try to dominate the ball and territory; they will press high and try to force Cape Verde to make mistakes and support their forward players.
Although Senegal have an impressive array of talent, Cape Verde have shown resilience and resolve to grind results. A draw in normal time is the favored result.
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