This archive report was first published on 5 July 2019.
Published on July 5, 2019, in Cairo, Egypt, Senegal's football team is haunted by a jinx that has prevented them from winning the African championship title.
Despite their impressive performances, including semi-final appearances in 1965, 1990, and 2006, and a close loss to Cameroon in the 2002 final, Senegal has yet to lift the trophy.
The question of why they have never won the title rankles them deeply, and their coach, Aliou Cisse, has hit back at critics, including Kenya's Sebastien Migne, who questioned their mental strength.
Senegal's star player, Sadio Mane, has shed tears after being knocked out in the quarter-final stage on penalties in the 2017 Nations Cup by Cameroon.
Now, ranked Africa's top nation, they face a Ugandan side that will be free from any inhibitions after securing their tourney target of a top 16 showing.
Uganda coach Sebastien Desabre is relishing a run against Senegal, saying, "We are not afraid of any opponent. Senegal have played in the World Cup and it is our chance to play a good team. We will give 100 per cent. All teams have strengths and weaknesses. We know the play we will use against Senegal."
Uganda will be buoyed by their 2-0 win over DR Congo in their opening match and can rely on their backline marshalled by Simba's Murushi Juuko and Hassan Wasswa.
However, Uganda is dealing with a player unrest over unpaid dues, and they will have to face a dangerous Senegalese front line of Mane, and Rennes duo of Ismaila Sarr and Mbaye Niang.
The two sides drew 0-0 in their last meeting, a friendly match on June 5, 2017, in Senegal. There is more at stake Friday, and a winner must be found.
