Preview : Senegal vs Cape Verde - Live streaming, lineups & Prediction

Senegal vs Cape Verde

SCHEDULE	TIME
GAME	Senegal vs Cape Verde
DATE	23.01.2022
TIME	11:00 AM (UTC)
VENUE	Kouekong Stadium (Bafoussam)
LEAGUE	Africa Cup of Nations - Play Offs - 1/8-finals

TV Channel Info

More Information

Streaming starts 5 minutes before kick off

Match Preview

◉ While Senegal were pre-tournament favourites, the 2019 runners up have made it to the knockout stages of this edition mainly via their rock-solid defence. Illustrating that point is the fact that Senegal are yet to score from open play, and only scraped past Zimbabwe with a last gasp penalty. They then played out back-to-back goalless draws, so this has potential to be a long evening for both teams.

◉ The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hasn’t produced a plethora of goals overall, though we can expect at least one here, as Senegal have never produced three consecutive goalless draws in their 62-year history. The onus will be on Senegal to provide that goal, just as they did when winning ‘to nil’ in each of the last four H2Hs.

◉ Any further progression would be a bonus for Cape Verde, who were eliminated in the first knockout round following their only prior AFCON group progression. A stalemate with host nation Cameroon will provide some much needed confidence, after only qualifying via third place, thanks to a narrow 1-0 win over ten-man Ethiopia on the opening day.

◉ Encouragingly for them, the ‘Sharks’ have lost just four of their 17 internationals played since the beginning of 2020 (W8, D5), and that run includes positive results against the likes of Nigeria and Cameroon. However, their only defeat by more than a single-goal margin during that run was against Senegal.

◉ Players to watch: Sadio Mané is Senegal’s only scorer at this tournament, and four of his last six goals at club level were also match openers. Meanwhile, Olympiacos and Cape Verde star Garry Rodrigues may have earned a start, after scoring within ten minutes of his introduction last time out. He’s contributed to both of their AFCON 2021 goals (G1, A1).

◉ Hot stat: Each of Senegal’s last five AFCON knockout matches have produced under 1.5 goals within 90 minutes.

Senegal starting lineup:
E Mendy; Sarr, Koulibaly, A Diallo, Ciss; P Gueye, N Mendy, I Gueye; H Diallo, Mane, Dia

Cape Verde starting lineup:
Vozinha; S Fortes, Lopes, Stopira; J Fortes, Andrade, Santos, D Tavares; Rodrigues, Semedo, Monteiro

Prediction

Senegal 2-0 Cape Verde

While Senegal have endured a quiet start to the tournament, they boast a star-studded squad capable of finally ending their long wait for continental glory. Looking at the gulf in quality and experience between the nations, we are tipping the Lions of Teranga to comfortably claim the win in regular time.