Reigning African footballer of the year Sadio Mane has named his favourites for the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, describing one of their star players as "incredible".
The Senegal international is set to participate in only his second World Cup after making his debut in the tournament at the previous edition in Russia four years ago.
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Unfortunately for his team on that occasion, they narrowly failed to make the knockout stages after finishing third in their group behind winners Colombia and second-placed Japan, who advanced via the fair-play tiebreaker rule after being level on four points with the African giants.
This year, the Lions of Teranga head into the tournament as not only CAF's highest-ranked nation (18th), but also as the current Africa Cup of Nations champions.
However, it appears there are a few teams Mane feels have a better chance of winning the Jules Rimet Trophy this year.
Asked recently which country will be favourites to win the World Cup apart from Senegal, the Bayern Munich forward told SportsCenter ESPN: "I watched Messi play yesterday. He is incredible!
"Argentina is one of the teams that can win, just like Brazil, Germany, France or England."
Mane's compatriot and team captain Kalidou Koulibaly is seemingly more optimistic about African countries posing a title challenge at the competition, though.
"African nations are lacking self-esteem and self-awareness that they can really win a World Cup," the 31-year-old told BBC Sport Africa.
"We consider that going past the group stage is a good thing, but we should set higher goals for ourselves.
"I don't think that the French team or the English team are happy with going through the group stages – they want to go further.
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"We should have the same mindset. That's what I am trying to bring to Senegal.
"I think it's time that an African country delivers and wins the World Cup, because we are a very talented continent.
"We have great players."
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