Nickname: The Lions of Teranga [Lions de la Téranga]
Fifa rank: 19
Afcon Group: D
Head coach: Pape Thiaw
Group Stage fixtures: Botswana [Dec 23], DR Congo [Dec 27], Benin [Dec 30]
Afcon appearances: 18 [1965, 1968, 1986, 1990, 1992, 1994, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2025]
Best Afcon performance: Champions [2021]
How they qualified: Pape Thiaw’s men were close to being flawless as they dropped points in just one game in six matches collecting 16 points and scored 10 goals against one conceded.
The only stalemate came against Burkina Faso in a 1-1 draw. The Stallions were the closest challengers but finished six points behind from a group L that also had Burundi and Malawi.
Realistic chance at Afcon 2025: One of the giants of African football at the moment and will surely be amongst the favourites to lift the title.
In their group is a familiar opponent DR Congo who they beat to earn a direct world cup slot which means they will be a score to settle.
They will be favourites alongside DR Congo to grab the top two position and from then on, take game by game.
Who is the star of the team? The 2021 champions are a side with quality all over the pitch. At the back, skipper Kalidou Coulibaly is a rock but a calm presence, Idrissa Gueye is a midfield machine while up front, Sadio Mane, Nicholas Jackson and Ismaila Sarr are fearless.
