Senegal and Zimbabwe will both be targeting a fast start to their Group B campaigns at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations when they meet in Kouekong on Monday 10 January.
The match is slated for Boufassam Omnisport Stadium, with kick-off at 13:00hrs GMT.
Zimbabwe are appearing in the AFCON finals for the fifth time and have yet to make it out of the group stages. However, the expanded format of the AFCON gives them a great opportunity to make the knockout rounds for the first time.
Coach Norman Mapeza men know that for them to reach the Round of 16 of the continental showpiece they need to avoid loss against the 2019 AFCON silver medalists.
Ahead of the clash, the Southern Africans are in a tight situation as they are facing a possible ban from international football with the FIFA ultimatum for the reinstatement of the suspended Zimbabwe Football Federation board having expired last week.
However, as the time tickles the expected has not happened meaning the Warriors will go on and play in the tournament.
Zimbabwe will be looking for the likes of Admiral Muskwe, Knowledge Musona and Tinotenda Kadewere to inspire his team to new heights, as they take on Senegal, Malawi and Guinea in an exceptionally tough group at the 2021 finals.
“All the teams present at the AFCON are aiming for the title even if only one team can do it. AFCON have shown that there is no such thing as a small team,” Warriors coach Mapeza said before the team’s departure to Cameroon.
Senegal, meanwhile, could be regarded as one of the tournament favourites as they are the highly ranked footballing nation in the continent. The Teranga Lions qualified as winners of Group I in the preliminaries, ahead of Guinea-Bissau, Congo and eSwatini.
With the likes of Liverpool tar Sadio Mane in their side, Senegal are one of the strongest teams on paper but will need to show more coherency and attacking intent than they managed in the 2019 AFCON where they finished second.
In head-to-head stats, Senegal and Zimbabwe have met in two previous matches. The Teranga Lions won 2-0 in both occasions.
Striker Tendai Ndoro is the man to watch for the Southern Africans and his form in front of goal will be a threat for the Senegalese.
On the other hand, Sadio Mane and Edouard Mendy will be key to Senegal making the necessary development.
