Senegal coach Pape Thiau promised his crew can be totally centered on taking part in in opposition to Norway, saying his crew would “die for Africa” to stay in motion on the World Cup.
The necessary Group I match might be held on the New Jersey Stadium in New York, with Senegal seeking to bounce again from their 3-1 loss to France final day out.
However they’ll face a Norwegian crew that beat Iraq 4-1 within the event’s opening match, as they purpose for a number of wins in a single World Cup season for the primary time.
This would be the first World Cup matchup for each nations. The one earlier assembly between the 2 groups was a pleasant in Dakar in March 2006, with Senegal successful 2-1.
Nonetheless, Senegal misplaced simply one in every of their first 5 World Cup matches (one win, one loss) in opposition to European nations, and have since misplaced every of their final three matches, together with a loss to France.
Nonetheless, Thiau admitted the second group sport was a problem, however insisted his gamers would hand over every little thing on the pitch.
“We’re in a tricky group. We knew this was going to occur within the event,” Thiau mentioned. “All three video games have been like finals and despite the fact that we misplaced the primary sport, we nonetheless have work to do.
“However you’ll be able to’t go incorrect with this (in opposition to Norway). Everybody is prepared and needs to stay round and put in a great shift. We’re able to die for Africa and Senegal.”
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Thiau was additionally requested about his plans to cease Norwegian star Erling Haaland, who scored twice in his first World Cup look in opposition to Iraq.
Haaland has scored in his final 11 appearances for Norway, with a number of targets in every of his final 5.
The Manchester Metropolis striker has scored at the very least one purpose in 17 of his final 20 worldwide appearances relationship again to the beginning of 2023.
“This isn’t an anti-Haaland mission. That is an anti-Norwegian mission,” Thiau added.
“We now have defenders who’ve performed in high-level competitions and have performed in opposition to strikers of this stage earlier than.
“Whenever you play in opposition to Haaland you must watch out. However a very powerful factor is how one can cease the entire Norwegian crew.”
Nonetheless, Haaland might be able to discover pleasure in opposition to a Senegal crew that struggled defensively on the World Cup.
Of the 48 nations taking part in 2026, solely Saudi Arabia (18 nations) has presently gone longer with out conceding a purpose within the World Cup than Senegal.
Thiau mentioned they’d conceded in every of their final 12 video games within the competitors since defeating France 1-0 of their first match in 2002, a statistic that should change if the crew is to achieve success.
“It’s true that we conceded a variety of targets. There isn’t a room for errors anymore,” Thiau mentioned.
