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Senegalese football fans based in London have decided where their loyalties lie as they prepare for Sunday’s World Cup clash that could see either Senegal or England crash out of the tournament.
The Three Lions’ 3-0 win over Wales secured a place in the knockout stages against Senegal, who finished runners-up in Group A after a 2-1 win over Ecuador on Tuesday.
Veronique Sou is from Senegal and will support them against England but has lived in Sutton, south London, for five years and said she expects a “very tough match” on Sunday, which her close friend and injured team star Sadio believes. Set to miss.
“It’s very sad because the World Cup is a huge competition,” the 31-year-old, who works for music streaming company Deezer, told the PA news agency.
“He is our best player… but we are doing very well without him. And that’s why everyone is shocked because we’re playing so well without him.
“Whatever the result of the match, I will be happy because Senegal is my country and England is my adopted country.”
Ms Saw and Man first met 10 years ago while working for the Senegalese football federation.
She is in the queue and has tickets for Sunday’s match, which she believes will go to penalties after a 1-1 draw before Senegal are through to the quarter-finals.
Mrs Saw explained that her husband, who is British, would also support Senegal – but England would get their support if they won.
“It’s definitely my second home because when the pageant started I was also sharing pictures from England and Senegal,” she said.
“I support Senegal and England but for this game I have made a choice and I will support Senegal.
“If we lose, I’ll come back and then support England for the rest of the World Cup.”
Aziz Ndiaye, 52, is also from Senegal but has dual citizenship as he has lived in the UK since 1996 when he came to study at the University of Westminster.
Mr Ndia, a Greenwich-based accountant, told PA he was “very confident” Senegal would win but described a conflicted family relationship as his 11-year-old son, Jules, would support England.
“Depending on the results, he might not make dinner,” Mr Ndiaye joked.
“I’d rather not play (England) because those are my two countries, but that’s football.
“Even though I have been given a 1% chance to win against England, I feel very confident.”
Mr Ndiaye added that if Senegal pulled out of the competition, he would support England.
He has not yet decided where he will watch the match – which he predicts will end 2-1 against Senegal – but said he will be joined by many of his Senegalese friends in London.
“People are very excited,” he said.
“Hopefully there will be a good turnout… I’ve got my Senegal shirt here, I’ve also got my flag ready.
“Bring on Sunday.”
Fetty Kane, who is Senegalese and lives in Whitley Bay, near Newcastle, told PA she was “absolutely confident” Senegal would beat England.
“We are the African champions so it would be a shame if we were to go out so soon,” said Taruna, the 39-year-old founder of the womenswear label.
“I think we have to show that we are not African champions for nothing.”
Ms Kane thinks it will be 1-0 to Senegal but hopes her team will score even more goals.
Despite being sad that star player Sadio Mane is out injured, she said: “I have full confidence that they will win, especially after their performance in their last game.”
Mrs Kane said her husband Steve, 41, who works for a charity, is British and has family from Scotland, is a “proper football fanatic” and wants England to win.
However, he would be “still happy” if Senegal wins and his family supports the Senegal team.
As for the couple’s children, Mrs Kane said they were quite diplomatic, saying “we want to win England and Senegal”.
“They were very loyal to the Senegalese team and then when we told them Senegal would play England, they didn’t know who to support – I think they just wanted both teams to win,” she added.
His children share their names with two of Senegal’s top players.
Four-year-old daughter Sadio shares her name with Mane and three-year-old son Kalidou shares his name with captain Kalidou Koulibaly.
The family will tune in to the match wearing their football shirts and waving flags and, despite saying there is no chance of a rivalry, Mrs Kane said she may need to bet against her family if her match prediction comes true.
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