Teranga Lions are on the march again as the file out later today against Zimbabwe in their opening match of the 33rd edition of the Nations cup in Cameroon. Finalists at the last edition in Egypt where they lost by a lone goal to Algeria, they have been dubbed in some quarters as perpetual under achievers or the nearly men. Many can easily predict that Teranga Lions will subdue the Warriors of Zimbabwe today citing pedigree, experience and all that, the Warriors having not gone past the group stage in their previous two appearances.
Many have also tipped the Senegalese to reach the top four, but the question remains when will they clinch the elusive trophy? Since becoming regulars at the tournament they have hit quarterfinals a record five times, 1992, 1994, 2000, 2004 and 2017. A major improvement was recorded at the last edition when they ended up as runners up, just a finger close to the trophy. Can the Teranga Lions make that push and stretch that finger to touch the trophy.
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If that happens, many will be happy for them, perhaps on sympathy grounds having fought back to back all the way. But then another opportunity is here and it is one step at a time beginning with the opener against Zimbabwe today.