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Focus of the day: Mbaye Niang, the winning bet from Senegal

Date of publication: June 20, 2018 at 08:53:25 pm



Mbaye Niang has become Senegal's first World Cup scorer since 2002. The striker contributed to the 2-1 win against Poland on 19 June 2018 in Moscow. Sometimes challenged by the local press, the former great hope of French football has probably silenced his detractors in Senegal.

 

From our special envoy in Moscow,

Decisive scorer and tireless striker against Poland, Mbaye Niang leaves the Spartak Stadium Moscow, without much effusion, with the matchman's trophy under one arm. As if it were normal that the 23-year-old French-born forward was the main architect of the victorious return of the "Teranga Lions" at the World Cup, after 16 years of absence.

"It's a satisfaction," said the resident of Torino (Italy) soberly, after a 2-1 win on June 19 in Group H. This price will be for the whole team because it was a great match . It was our heart to return to this World Cup, with a victory. I am very happy tonight. "

"He's a big striker"

And Mbaye Niang is probably not unhappy to have silenced all those who had criticized his hesitation to defend the colors of Senegal. The local press has indeed repeatedly reminded how much the former great hope of the French football had not always held a clear speech on its intentions, either to the Senegalese Football Federation or to the predecessors of the coach Aliou Cissé.

"Maybe he was criticized for you, but we know that Mbaye is a great player," retorts central defender Kalidou Koulibaly, also binational. If he fits 100% in the game plan, in the team, we see the player he is. He made a great match. I am very happy for him because he deserves it. It is someone who is brought to play at the high level. He showed it today against Poland. And I hope he will continue to do it throughout the competition. "

Mame Biram Diouf, the attacker of Mbaye Niang, smiles. "I'm not surprised, because we know Mbaye, loose the player from Stoke City (England). We know he is a great attacker. When he wants to play, he is there. He showed himself present.

"Mbaye is made to play in a big European club"

Already, before the World Cup, Aliou Cissé hoped that the debate around his protégé had ended. "We are happy to have him with us," said the coach, who managed to convince Mbaye Niang to cross the course in September 2017. For me, Mbaye is THE footballer, it's class, charisma and a character . He is a boy who can do a lot of things. I think he's one of the most talented players on this team. "

Talent, Mbaye Niang has always had a lot, according to those who hatched or rubbed. Yet he has not really exploited it, over mistakes and bad career choices. The fact of being too ambitious passing directly from his training club, Caen (France), to the great AC Milan (Italy) in 2012, has notably sealed his course. His experience in Milan has been interspersed with loans in several second tier clubs like Montpellier (France), Genoa (Italy), Watford (England) and finally the Torino. "I really hope that this World Cup will serve as a springboard to make up for the six years he has lost. It's really a mess. Mbaye is made to play in a big European club ", concludes Aliou Cissé.

 

Source:http://afriquefoot.rfi.fr/20180620-coupe-monde-2018-mbaye-niang-le-pari-gagnant-senegal-pologne

 

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