Qualifying campaign: Senegal reached the 2012 CAN in impressive fashion, finishing on top of Group E of the qualifiers with 16 points after winning five games out of six. They secured their qualification two rounds before the end, outclassing former champions Cameroon and DR Congo.
History: Senegal made 11 appearances at CAN, the first of which was in 1965. However, they are yet to win the prestigious title although they are regularly considered as one of Africa’s heavyweights. The Lions of Teranga's best finish came in 2002, when they lost to Cameroon on penalties following a goalless draw in the tournament’s final.
Expectations: With players like Demba Ba, Mamadou Niang, Papiss Cisse and Moussa Sow, Senegal have a new generation of players capable of matching – at least – the performance of the team's golden generation, which was led by El Hadji Diouf, that finished as runners-up in 2002. The Terange Lions are expected to storm past this group and compete with Ivory Coast and Ghana for the title.
FIFA ranking: 43 (5 in Africa)
Achievements:
Runners-up in 2002 CAN
Made 18 appearances in CAN
World Cup quarter-finalists in 2002
Coach: Amara Traore (Senegal)
Key players: Moussa Sow, Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Khadim Ndiaye (ASC Linguere), Bouna Coundoul (New York Red Bulls, USA), Pape Latyr Ndiaye (Ouakam)
Defenders: Kader Mangane (Rennes, France), Souleymane Diawara (Marseille, France), Lamine Sané (Bordeaux, France), Jacques Faty (Sivasspor, Turkey), Moustapha Bayal Sall (St Etienne, France), Pape Malickou Diakhaté (Granada, Spain), Cheikh Mbengue (Toulouse, France), Armand Traoré (QPR, England), Omar Daf (Brest, France)
Midfielders: Rémi Gomis (Valenciennes, France) , Mouhamed Diamé ( Wigan, England), Guirane N'Daw (Birmingham City, England), Ndiaye Dème Ndiaye (Arles-Avignon, France)
Forward: Issiar Dia ( Fenerbahce, Turkey), Moussa Sow (Lille, France), Papiss Demba Cissé (Freiburg, Germany), Souleymane Camara (Montpelier, France), Mamadou Niang (Al Sadd, Qatar), Demba Ba (Newcastle United, England), Dame N'Doye (FC Copenhagen, Denmark).
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