Aliou Cisse made history as a coach of Senegal when they reached the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup by matching the physical side of Ecuador 2-1 at Khalifa International Stadium on Al Rayyan on Tuesday.
Cisse became the second African coach to lead the African nation to the round of 16 in the FIFA World Cup.
He emulated the late Steven Keshi, who led his home country Nigeria to the same stage eight years ago in Brazil.
A penalty by Ismail Sarr in the 44th minute and Kalidou Koulibaly’s finish in the 70th minute were enough to see Senegal go through, with the latter netting what was his first goal for the African champions.
As they picked up six points from three matches, Senegal finished second in Group A, one point behind the Netherlands, who they lost in the first game.
The Teranga Lions will now face England in the round of 16 at Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday (21:00).
Keshi, who just like Cisse led Nigeria to the Africa Cup of Nations title in 2013 in South Africa, led the Super Eagles in the round of 16 in 2014 World Cup in Brazil, becoming the first African coach to do so.
The Big Boss’ side picked up four points in Brazil, drawing against Iran, beating Bosnia and losing to Argentina in the final group stage match.
Nigeria then lost 2-0 to France in the round of 16 to end their journey in the competition.
However, Senegal will hope to become the first African side to beat England in the World Cup finals, with the 1966 champion having never lost against the nation from this continent at the global showpiece.
Unfortunately Senegal, who reached the quarter-finals in 2002 in their debut campaign when Cisse was the captain, will be without England-based midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye of Everton, who received his second booking against Ecuador. Senegal will also be without Cheik Kouyate, who picked a hamstring injury against the Netherlands.
