Afcon 2021 - Predicting Mane's Senegal XI to face Cape Verde

The Lions of Teranga have been far from convincing in this tournament so far and will be trying to prove they are possible champions

Senegal face Cape Verde in an Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 match in Bafoussam on Tuesday as they push to be crowned continental champions for the first time ever.

GOAL predicts how coach Aliou Cisse could line up his players.

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GOALKEEPER - Edouard Mendy
The Chelsea shot-stopper managed to keep a clean sheet against Malawi on his return after recovering from Covid-19.
Mendy will be hoping to not to be breached and help the Teranga Lions reach the quarter-finals.

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RIGHT-BACK - Bouna Sarr
The Bayern Munich man has been mostly used as an attacking right-winger in this tournament but returned to the right-back position in the last game against Guinea.
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LEFT-BACK - Saliou Ciss
Ciss has started the last two matches and in the process relegating AC Milan's Fode Ballo to the bench.

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CENTRE-BACK - Kalidou Koulibaly
After Covid-19 sidelined Koulibaly from Senegal's first two group games, he returned to help them keep another clean sheet against Malawi.
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CENTRE-BACK - Abdou Diallo
The Paris Saint-Germain defender made his Senegal in June 2021 but has managed to immediately cement his place in the team during the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers as well as this Afcon in which he has started three games so far.
Interestingly, his second match in Senegal colours was against Cape Verde three days after making his debut.
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CENTRAL MIDFIELDER - Cheikhou Kouyate
This is another player with vast experience in this Senegal squad and there are high expectations that would help the defence in keeping a fourth straight clean sheet in this tournament.
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CENTRAL MIDFIELDER - Idrissa Gueye
The Paris Saint-Germain star is expected to combine well with Kouyate in protecting Senegal's defence although Gueye would be the one going forward more.
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ATTACKING MIDFIELDER - Nampalys Mendy
Mendy has been struggling at Leicester City this season and would want to put that behind him with a good performance in his second Afcon appearance against Cape Verde.
The former France youth international only made his Senegal debut in October 2021 in the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.
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RIGHT MIDFIELDER - Boulaye Dia
Another newcomer in this Terange Lions squad, having made his debut in September 2021.
The Villarreal man has struggled in this tournament and would want to show that he has settled well in this team.
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LEFT MIDFIELDER - Sadio Mane
The Liverpool star is yet to make a mark in this tournament but remains Senegal's biggest hope for goals.
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CENTRE-FORWARD - Mouhamadou Diallo
He led Senegal's attack in the game against Malawi which was his first start in this tournament and third appearance.
Diallo would be keen to score his second goal in a Senegal shirt.