World Cup Qualifying - Africa | Group Stage

Mar 25, 2025 at 9pm UK

Senegal vs Togo

Match preview

Senegal's qualifying campaign began under Aliou Cisse, who oversaw two wins and two draws in his first four games before being sacked in December, paving the way for Pape Thiaw to take over as head coach.

The former striker's first World Cup qualifier in charge ended in frustration as Senegal were held to a goalless draw away to leaders Sudan in a game in which both sides wasted glorious chances.

The result left them third in Group B on nine points, one behind second-placed DR Congo and two behind leaders Sudan, and with only the group winners securing automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, victory on Tuesday is vital for Senegal to keep their hopes alive.

While they will be favourites against Togo, history suggests it will be anything but easy - the last five meetings between the two nations have resulted in one win and three draws, including a goalless stalemate in the reverse fixture.

Interestingly, all the previous encounters have taken place in World Cup qualifying and both sides have won on home soil, with Senegal recording a win and a draw in their two home matches against the Sparrowhawks.

Togo, meanwhile, remain one of three teams in Group B yet to register a win, along with Mauritania and South Sudan, having suffered just one defeat and drawn their other four matches.

On Saturday, the Sparrowhawks played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Mauritania, with both sides scoring first and second.

Dare Nibombe's side currently sit fourth in the group on four points, with their fading hopes of a second World Cup - they last qualified in 2006 - hanging by a thread.

The first time these two sides met on the road to Togo's 2006 finals, the visitors battled to a hard-fought 2-2 draw in Senegal and will be hoping for at least a repeat of that result.

Recent Performance

Senegal World Cup Qualifying - Africa form:WDDWD

Senegal form (all competitions):WWWWWD

Togo World Cup Qualifying - Africa form:DDDLD

Togo form (all competitions):DLLLWD

Team News

Thiaw handed debuts to Antoine Mendy and 19-year-old Assane Diao in the draw against Sudan, with Mendy starting and Diao coming off the bench.

Al-Nassr striker Sadio Mane returned to the starting line-up after missing Senegal's previous two qualifiers with a thigh injury.

However, Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson remains sidelined with a hamstring problem that has kept him out of action since February.

For Togo, Thibault Klidje and Kevin Denkey were on the scoresheet in the draw with Mauritania, with Denkey's goal moving him into seventh place in Togo's all-time scoring charts.

Malcolm Barloca is expected to retain his place in goal, protected by a back three of Kevin Boma, Kennedy Boateng and Josue Homawoo.

Possible starting lineup

Senegal possible starting lineup:

Mendy; Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Mendy; Gueye, Gueye; Mane, Camara, Sarr; Dia

Togo possible starting lineup:

Barcola; Boma, Boateng, Djene, Atte, Homawoo; Agbagno, Karim, Annor; Klidje, Denkey