Former Senegal star El Hadji Diouf says some teams won't want to face the African champions at the 2022 FIFA World Cup even without talisman Sadio Mane.
The Lions of Teranga open their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on Monday evening, but they will not be able to call upon Mane who was ruled out through injury on Thursday.
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Diouf was part of the Senegal team that reached the quarter-finals at the 2002 World Cup and the former Liverpool forward is confident of the team's chances heading into this year's tournament.
"Our first objective is to pass the first round and after the first round we're going to talk again together to see what we can do," Diouf told BBC Africa.
"I know some teams don't want to play Senegal because we have a good team [with] experienced players."
Diouf has also backed Mane to come back stronger after the injury.
"We are all sad, because we would love to see Sadio playing this World Cup and Sadio was doing everything to get ready for this World Cup," he added.
"All big players want to shine in the World Cup but things can happen. We are going to work without him and we're going to do everything to make him proud.
"I think Sadio's going to be stronger when he comes back."
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