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Senegal team news: Predicted 4-2-3-1 line up vs Uganda – Mane hunts goals, winger left out
SENEGAL coach Aliou Cisse will be tempted to name an unchanged starting XI when the Lions of Teranga face Uganda in the Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16.
Cisse and his Senegal side head into the knockout stages on the back of an impressive 3-0 victory over Cameroon last time out.
Liverpool ace Sadio Mane was on the scoresheet twice, making him joint-top goalscorer in the tournament so far, and will hope to add to his tally as Senegal hunt a second consecutive quarter-final appearance.
Despite the win over Cameroon, the Lions of Teranga finished second in Group C behind Algeria after losing their head-to-head clash 1-0.
Mane is wary of the threat posed by Round of 16 opponents Uganda, but is confident his side has the quality necessary to progress.
"We saw the kind of football they played against Egypt and they are a very good side,” he said.
“We must be at our best against Uganda.”
Uganda finished second behind Egypt in Group A after a 2-0 win against DR Conggo and a 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe.
Senegal have a couple of injury concerns ahead of tonight’s clash, with Salif Sane still doubtful due to an ankle injury while goalkeeper Eduard Mendy is ruled out.
SPAL stopper Alfred Gomis is expected to continue between the posts while versatile Crystal Palace midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate has been deputising for Sane in central defence.
The Eagles ace will partner Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly in the heart of the rearguard while Lamine Gassama and Saliou Ciss should start, keeping Moussa Wague on the bench.
Idrissa Gueye and Badou Ndiaye will start in central midfield behind the trio of Mane, Henri Saviet and Ismaila Sarr.
This means Inter Milan ace Keita Balde could miss out once again while M’Baye Niang is likely to be preferred to Pape Moussa Konate and Mbaye Diagne in attack.
Senegal predicted line-up vs Uganda – Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16
(4-2-3-1): Gomis; Gassama, Koulibaly, Kouyate, Ciss; Gueye, Ndiaye; Mane, Saviet, Sarr; Niang