Sadio Mane feels Senegal are ‘very far’ off 2 sides as World Cup favourites

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Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane feels Senegal are ‘very far’ behind France and Spain as the favourites to win the World Cup. But he expects Aliou Cisse’s side to compete in Qatar.

The Lions of Teranga will head to the Middle East this November and December to feature at only their third World Cup. Senegal secured their qualification for the 2022 edition after overcoming Egypt 3-1 on penalties in March after a 1-1 draw over two legs and extra time.

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Mane scored Senegal’s last penalty in the shoot-out to beat Egypt and his former Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah. The Reds winger had struck the Pharaohs’ first effort from 12 yards out. But the 30-year-old sent his attempt over the top of Edouard Mendy’s crossbar.

Senegal will represent Africa at the World Cup in Qatar alongside Ghana, Tunisia, Morocco and Cameroon. The 2022 edition also marks the first time that the West Africans feature in successive competitions. They would not make it out of the group stage at Russia 2018.

FIFA has drawn Senegal in Group A with the host nation, Qatar, plus the Netherlands and Ecuador for the 2022 World Cup. The Lions of Teranga begin their tournament against the Dutch on Monday, November 21 before facing Qatar on Friday 25 and La Tri on Tuesday 29.

Mane feels Senegal are ‘very far’ behind France and Spain as World Cup favourites

Mane will arrive in Qatar for the World Cup with Senegal as the second-best player on the planet. France Football listed the forward behind only Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema in its Ballon d’Or rankings. Mane also became the inaugural winner of the Socrates Award.

Still, Mane does not expect Senegal – the AFCON 2021 champions – will be a favourite to win a first World Cup in Qatar. Instead, the winger suspects Benzema and France will push 2010 winners Spain all the way at the first edition held in the Middle East and in the winter.

“I don’t see Senegal as a favourite because there are other nations very far ahead of Senegal like France [and] Spain,” Mane conceded to RMC Sport, via quotes by WIW Sport. “We will go there with no cold and try to do what we have used to do.”