Senegal skipper Kalidou Koulibaly has backed the current generation of Lions of Teranga to emulate the heroics of the 2002 World Cup, when the nation famously marched to the quarterfinals.
Koulibaly was only a child when Senegal shocked the football world by beating then-champions France 1–0 in the tournament opener—a moment he says left an indelible mark on him and his peers.
In a chat with FIFA.com, the defensive stalwart shared his belief that the team is ready to chase down—and perhaps exceed—the achievements of that golden 2002 squad.
“With the kind of talent we have now—Champions League winners, players leading the scoring charts at their clubs—even the best European sides find it tough to get the better of us,” said the former Chelsea man.
“But more than quality, it’s about heart. Playing for Senegal lifts us to another level. That jersey gives you something special and pushes you to leave everything on the pitch. That’s exactly what we’ll do.”
Koulibaly also opened up about the lasting impact of that famous French victory.
“I can still picture every detail. I was 11, and I remember exactly which school periods I was in when I watched the game.
“When Papa Bouba Diop turned in that cross from El-Hadji Diouf, it was sheer euphoria—the goal, the crowd’s explosion, and that unforgettable dance celebration. My friends and I copied that dance for weeks.
“Those moments made us fall even more in love with our country. They proved Senegal could compete with anyone. That belief still drives us today.
“My generation grew up on the story of the 2002 team. The younger lads may not know them as well, but we all share the same goal: to do what they did—and hopefully go even further.”
