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Senegal vs Zimbabwe : Five facts to know

Five facts for the Africa Cup of Nations Group B match between Senegal and Zimbabwe in France ville Thursday (1900 GMT):
Senegal's squad (back L-R) defender Cheikh M'Bengue, defender Kalidou Koulibaly, forward Mame Biram Diouf, goalkeeper Abdoulaye Diallo, defender Cheikhou Kouyate, defender Kara Mbodji, (L-R) midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye, midfielder Papa Alioune Ndiaye, forward Sadio Mane, defender Lamine Gassama and forward Keita pose for a group picture before the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Tunisia and Senegal in Franceville on January 15, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / KHALED DESOUKI

Senegal’s squad (back L-R) defender Cheikh M’Bengue, defender Kalidou Koulibaly, forward Mame Biram Diouf, goalkeeper Abdoulaye Diallo, defender Cheikhou Kouyate, defender Kara Mbodji, (L-R) midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye, midfielder Papa Alioune Ndiaye, forward Sadio Mane, defender Lamine Gassama and forward Keita pose for a group picture before the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Tunisia and Senegal in Franceville on January 15, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / KHALED DESOUKI

Five facts for the Africa Cup of Nations Group B match between Senegal and Zimbabwe in Franceville Thursday (1900 GMT):

— The only Cup of Nations game between the countries was won 2-0 by Senegal in Egypt 11 years ago thanks to second-half goals from Henri Camara and Issa Ba.

— Ba did not realise it at the time, but his 80th-minute strike proved crucial in the final group standings, giving Senegal a quarter-finals place ahead of Ghana on goal difference.

— Captain and midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate of English Premier League club West Ham United is among 21 Europe-based Senegalese in the squad.

— The exceptions are both goalkeepers — Pape Ndiaye lines up for local club Niarry Tally and Khadim Ndiaye for Horoya in neighbouring west African state Guinea.

— Only four of the Zimbabwe squad play for European clubs, including centre-back Costa Nhamoinesu from Czech Republic outfit Sparta Prague.

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