The early match on Monday at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations will see 2019 edition runners-up Senegal take on Zimbabwe in a Group B clash. The major news concerns the Senegalese squad, who have six players in quarantine due to Covid-19. Starting goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, top center back Kalidou Koulibaly and striker Famara Diedhiou as well as Nampalys Mendy are among the players who will be unavailable for the favorites.
Despite the circumstances, the Teranga Lions will still be considered favorites against a Zimbabwe team that is only missing AFC Bournemouth defender Jordan Zemura but has little momentum. The Warriors, however, will perhaps fancy their chances of getting a result despite being unable to bring key players such as Aston Villa midfielder Marvelous Nakamba and Stade Reims player Marshall Munetsi. Veteran playmaker and captain Knowledge Musona is in fine form at club level and declared his intention to lead by example in his third AFCON tournament and striker Tino Kadewere should be available.
The first link below is a general preview from Sports Illustrated, while Zimbabwe paper The Herald has all the latest team news for Zimbabwe in the second link. Senego has the team news and list of absent players for Senegal and predicts the starting lineup that manager Aliou Cissé may put out.
