Pro Philani looks back at the weekend’s football action which saw Senegal crash out of the World Cup, and France ease past Poland to book a spot in the quarter finals with England as well as the latest on the local front.
Senegal dream crashes
The Lions of Taranga succumbed to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of England in the round of 16 clash in Qatar.
Senegal had progressed to the last 16 thanks to two group stage wins against host Qatar [3-1] and Ecuador [2-1] which followed after the opening game defeat to the Netherlands [2-0].
Despite losing captain and leader Sadio Mane through injury on the eve of the tournament, Senegal coach Alois Cisse had to ask younger players like Ismail Sarr to raise their hands to carry the baton. The young guns didn’t disappoint, and they carried the assignment throughout their World Cup journey. This was Senegal’s third World Cup participation since 2002.
In their first participation in Korea/Japan 2002, they lost to Sweden in the quarter-finals. It was when the current coach caqptained the side to their historic and best World Cup tournament to-date. In their second tournament, Senegal were eliminated after accumulating more yellow cards than Japan, a team they were tied on points, goal difference and on head-to-head.
Senegal were looking for a better performance in Qatar, this time, as champions of Africa! To their disappointment, Notiingham Forest midfielder Checkoiu Keyoute was ruled out of the English tie due to injury. Midfield maestro Idrissa Gueye was ruled out due to accumulation of 2 yellow cards in the group stage which translate to a one match suspension.
Goals from Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka ensured that Senegal don’t live to see another day on the field in Qatar to set-up a quarter-final clash with France on Saturday at 21:00.
England advance to World Cup quarter finals, Senegal are now out. 🚨🏴🇸🇳 #Qatar2022
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 4, 2022
Next round:
▫️ England 🏴 vs France 🇫🇷
▫️ Argentina 🇦🇷 vs Netherlands 🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/pYIKa7gdAO
Mbappe brace sees France through
A Kylan Mbappe brace and an Olivier Giroud goal gave the French a 3-1 victory against Poland in the third round of 16 fixture. Mbappe brace moved him to 8 World Cup goals, his fifth in Qatar, making him current top scorer in the tournament.
The French were dealt a huge blow before the start of the tournament when start striker Karim Benzema was ruled out of the tournament due to injury. France coach, Didier Deschamps, who won the World Cup as captain on home soil in 1998 and the current defending champion with France in Russia 2018 refused to replace Benzema in the team.
He placed his faith on Giroud and Mbappe to carry his team through.
With his goal, Olivier Giroud overtook Thierry Henry as France’s all-time leading goals scorer while Mbappe separated Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo with 8 World cup goals.
FT
— #UNPLAYABLE (@UnplayableZA) December 4, 2022
France 3️⃣-1️⃣ Poland
Giroud ⚽️
Mbappe ⚽️⚽️
Lewandowski ⚽️#FIFAWorldCupQatar2022 #UNPLAYABLE pic.twitter.com/HlrFTwU2P8
DSTV Premiership News
- TS Galaxy left the country for Turkey where they will hold their mini pre-season [within a season] tour in Turkey as they look to prepare for the second round of the season.
- Golden Arrows announced a week ago that they have captured full back Sicelo Hlatshwayo who was at Marumo Gallants on a free transfer.
- Maritzburg United have captured Stellenbosch FC captain Mogamad De Goede. He becomes the second Stellies to switch to the KZN capital since Lelethu Skelem joined in a swop deal involving Judas Moseamedi.
- SABC journalist, Mazola Molefe, reports Wayde Jooste and Kgotso Moleko both reported to be joining Maritzburg United.
The Rockets arrive safely in Antalya (Turkey) and waste no time in getting to work.🚀#siyadumuza #therockets#TSG#weareheretostay
— TS Galaxy FC (@TSGALAXYFC) December 3, 2022
Link to full 5 minute video on Instagram 👇https://t.co/VHRSlTVtoF pic.twitter.com/EQROzXoNBQ
