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Veteran German coach Peter Schnittger has played a major
role in the revival of Senegalese football that led to a place
at the African Nations Cup. After failing to reach the 1996
and 1998 tournaments, the Lions seemed to be heading for
further disgrace after losing 1-0 to Burundi in their first
qualifying match. Technical advisor replaced a local national
coach and the team lost only once in the seven matches that
took them to the biennial showcase. Senegal are capable of
making the quarter-finals and realising the ambition of their
coach who says their priority must be to beat Burkina Faso in
their first match to have any hope of reaching the last eight.
Former star striker Jules Bocande shares the view that a place
among the last eight would represent success, adding that
overall victory is not a realistic target for the raw Lions.
French-based defender Malick Diop captains a squad that
includes players based in Belgium, France, Germany, Greece,
Switzerland, Tunisia and Morocco, and there are also several
locals.
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