SFG Guide to AFCON 2015 | Page 65

Strengths

Attacking depth - Senegal have always been strong in the attacking department since the days of El-Hadji Diouf and Henri Camara, but at the moment they have the most continental-class attacking options of any African side. Of late, they have favoured Mame Diouf through the middle supported by Sadio Mané and N'Doye. It says a lot that their two most-capped strikers, Cissé and Sow, aren't currently first choice and that Demba Ba failed to get into the squad altogether, mainly due to the rise of Diafra Sakho, although the West Ham striker has now been ruled out. The result is injuries in this area shouldn't be a major problem, but it does mean they inevitably can't include some of their most talented players in their XI.

Weaknesses

Lack of creativity - The biggest hole in the squad is that they lack a continental-class playmaker to create chances for their talented strikers. Giresse's style leans more to grinding out results, especially against Africa's better sides. Playing with three holding midfielders places a lot of pressure on the in-form N'Doye and Diamé, of whom much will be expected, to get forward and cause problems as he often does in the Premier League; this was enough in qualifying against Egypt and Botswana, but what about against three mean defences in the Cup of Nations? There's little point in having great strikers if they are feeding on scraps.

Key Player

Mohamed Diamé - Alain Giresse's Mali side was built around the considerable ability of Seydou Keita, who acted as the team's leader and main creative force, as well as popping up with key goals once in a while. And though Kingston-upon-Hull may be decidedly less glamorous than Barcelona, Diamé will essentially take on the same role in Giresse's Senegal, knitting everything together and being relied upon to pull rabbits out of hats at key moments.

ability of Seydou Keita, who acted as the team's leader and main creative force, as well as popping up with key goals once in a while. And though Kingston-upon-Hull may be decidedly less glamorous than Barcelona, Diamé will essentially take on the same role in Giresse's Senegal, knitting everything together and being relied upon to pull rabbits out of hats at key moments.

The Hipster Choice

Idrissa Gueye - While Diamé may be the more familiar name to Premier League fans, 25-year-old Gueye is actually been the most consistent presence in the Senegal midfield throughout qualifying. A regular in the Lille side, he is rumoured to have caught the attention of Arsenal, who desperately need a holding midfielder; a good Cup of Nations may put him on a few English shopping lists.

The Coach

Alain Giresse - The little Frenchman's record in tournaments is one hit, one miss: his Gabon side failed to progress beyond the group stage in 2010, but his Mali team made the semi-finals in 2012, narrowly losing out to Ivory Coast, although they had been pretty fortunate with their draw. He has quickly established himself as one of the best coaches working in Africa today.

SFG Predicts

Group stage exit - Unlikely to make it out of this tough group, but if they somehow did, knockout football will suit their style.

By James Bennett (@jabennett_)