Senegal Dreams Of Beating Nigeria On Monday
February 6, 2000 
Jules S. Gueye
PANA Correspondent 
ACCRA, Ghana (PANA) - The match between sure-footed Nigeria and last-minute
qualifiers Senegal on Monday in Lagos, Nigeria seems to be the most mismatch
of all the 22nd edition of the African Cup of Nations' quarter final games. 
The Super Eagles, leading their Group D with 7 points, performed better than
Senegal, who took second in their Group C with 4 points. 
Nigeria is thus the favourite of the encounter. Experts do not give the
Senegalese a chance, but in football anything can happen when the Lions meet
the Super Eagles on their home turf. 
The Nigerians will include most of the players of the last 1998 World Cup
campaign in France and the 1994 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia where they
won the gold medal. 
Nigeria works like a steamroller with pistons such as Austin Okocha and
Nwankwo Kanu driving the engine. 
The team has other strong personalities such as Taribo West, Godwin Okpara,
Celestine Babayaro, Sunday Oliseh, Mutiu Adepoju and Victor Ikpeba who
helped Nigeria score 6 goals against two. 
Despite their opponents' reputation, the Senegalese should not have any
inferiority complex. The pressure will be more on the Super Eagles who have
a point or two to prove than on them. 
While walking upon the fetish Surulere Stadium, the Lions will remember they
nearly defeated Nigeria in Dakar during CAN 2000 qualifiers 
The two teams drew 1-1, with Senegal opening the score. 
On Monday, this reference match will serve as a landmark for the Lions. The
exploit is feasible if Senegal coach Peter Schnittger makes no mistake in
choosing his final line-up. 
The German coach seems to grope around since the beginning of the
tournament, that is harmful to the team's efficiency. 
For instance, the best players who helped Senegal to qualify for CAN 2000
are often left on the bench, particularly Salif Keita, Moussa Ndiaye, Mane
Ibra Toure, Pape Amadou Ndiaye and Daouda Sene. 
If this trend prevails on Monday, the Lions will have nobody to blame but
themselves. 
	
	
	
Copyright © 2000 Panafrican News Agency. All Rights Reserved. 

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