Senegal will continue their quest for their first Africa Cup of Nations title when they play Guinea in the second round of group matches in the 2022 AFCON.
Venue: Kouekong Stadium (Bafoussam)
Key Statistics
Senegal have not lost within 90 minutes in their last 12 games (W9, D3).
They have kept just two clean sheets in their last two games.
Senegal is ranked number one in Africa, while Guinea is ranked 15th.
Guinea have kept two clean sheets in a row. They have three in their last five games.
Guinea have reached the knockout phase of the AFCON in five of their last six tournament appearances.
Head to head
The two teams will meet for the 55th time on Friday. Senegal have won 25 of their previous meetings while Guinea have won 16 times. There have been 13 draws between the two sides.
Latest performances in all competitions
Senegal: W-W-D-W-W
Guinea: W-W-L-D-L
Senegal
Africa’s highest ranked team Senegal opened their AFCON account with a slender 1-0 win over Zimbabwe in matchday one thanks to a 97th-minute penalty by Sadio Mane.
Despite being a scrappy win, The ‘Lions of Teranga’ would not care about the performance. Their focus would certainly be on the result, given that they had only had 18 players available for the game due to illness and injuries. But with a couple of those players now back, they should prove a stronger force for this clash.
A win in this game will give them the top spot and guarantee their progress to the next round, while a loss would be bad for their morale and confidence ahead of their final group game against Malawi.
They will, however, fancy their chances of winning this tie as they are unbeaten within 90 minutes in their last 12 games.
Possible Senegal starting line-ups
Seny Dieng; Saliou Ciss, Pape Abou Cisse, Abdou Diallo; Ibrahima Mbaye; Cheikhou Kouyate, Pape Gueye, Bouna Sarr; Sadio Mane, Boulaye Dia, Keita Balde.
Injured: Ismaïla Sarr, Abdoulaye Seck
Unavailable (COVID-19): Saliou Ciss, Bamba Dieng, Mame Baba Thiam, Pape Matar Sarr, Nampalys Mendy, Alfred Gomis, Mamadou Loum Ndiaye, Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Famara Diédhiou:
Suspended: None
Guinea
Guinea also began their AFCON campaign with a 1-0 win over Malawi, thanks to a goal by Issiaga Sylla
The win means that they come into this tie level on points with Senegal. They can secure their progress into the next round if they win this tie. If they do so, it will be their second consecutive last 16 appearances and will highlight their progress under Kaba Diawara.
The National Elephants have recorded back to back clean sheets but will need to be at their best defensively against a very formidable Senegal attack.
Possible Guinea starting line-ups
Aly Keita; Mamadou Koné, Mohamed Camara, Saidou Sow, Ibrahima Conte, Issiaga Sylla; Amadou Diawara, Naby Keita, Aguibou Camara; Mohamed Bayo, Jose Kante.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Prediction
Senegal 2-1 Guinea
