Senegal Winger Krepin Diatta Talks Tough As Teranga Lions Prepare for 2022 FIFA World Cup

• Senegal star Krepin Diatta has disclosed that the Teranga Lions will represent Africa well at the World Cup
• The AFCON champions begin their campaign at the global showpiece on November 21 when they face the Netherlands
• Diatta admitted that the World Cup is the biggest competition, but says Senegal will not hide during the matches

Ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Senegal midfielder Krepin Diatta has disclosed that the Teranga Lions will play at the competition with all their might.

The reigning AFCON kings are drawn in Group A alongside hosts Qatar, the Netherlands and South American side Ecuador.

Diatta has reiterated that his side will ensure good representation for the people of Senegal, adding that qualifying from their group is the first priority.

He told africanews.com, as per Complete Sports:

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“We won’t hide from the fact that we know we have a good team, with players in each position. Now it is the World Cup, the biggest competition, so we won’t hide and we will give everything to play a great tournament. I think this is what we have to do."

Diatta said with so many good teams featuring in the global competition, Senegal would have to be ready from the start and do everything in its power to advance from the group stages.

“We should not say that we are supposed to qualify from this group. It would be a mistake because we have to play and stay focused on it, and I think if we do that, then we have a chance to qualify,” he added.

Sadio Mane: Senegal aren't favourites

Meanwhile, the captain of the Senegalese national football team, Sadio Mane has disclosed that his side are not the favourites for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

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The Lions of Teranga had their best World Cup outing in 2002 in Korea/Japan, where they got as far as the quarter-finals.

Going into this year’s tournament, Senegal are the reigning African champions. But while many have tipped the team to do well in the competition, Mane does not agree.

Koulibaly says Africa can win the World Cup

Sports Brief earlier reported that Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly believes the time for an African country to win the FIFA World Cup is now, as Senegal prepare for the tournament in November and December with friendlies against Bolivia and Iran.

Koulibaly, who was a member of the Senegal team that disappointingly exited the 2018 FIFA World Cup at the group stage, is confident of Africa's chances at the Mundial in Qatar.

Africa will be represented by Cameroon, Ghana, Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal at the competition.