5 underdogs to watch out for in the 2018 FIFA World Cup

#2 Senegal

Sadio Mane will be a key player for Senegal come Russia

The Lions of Teranga return to the World Cup after an 18-year break. The Senegal national team first made it to the showpiece event back in 2002, a campaign which would be remembered for their surprising victory over then World and European champions, France, and a shock run all the way to the final eight.

The Aliou Cissé led team earned their ticket to Russia after defeating South Africa 2-1 on November 10, 2017. Senegal made it to World Cup after a tough qualification and their victory against South Africa that came late in the injury time. Kara netted in a historic goal for his nation in the 93rd minute.

The team is highly dependent on talismanic forwards Moussa Sow and Sadio Mané, the Liverpool frontman. The team would be led by Cheikhou Kouyaté, who is a central midfielder for English club West Ham United.

It was quite special - it was fun. I enjoyed, my teammates, the fans - they enjoyed too." - Senegal midfielder Papa Ndiaye after the victory over South Africa

Manager Aliou has experience of playing for top sides, including Paris Saint-Germain, and his know-how was key in Senegal's recent revival of form. The National Team achieved an all-time low in FIFA Rankings in 2013 but the side are now ranked 32, only eight places behind the nation's best-ever ranking of 26.

Les Lions de la Teranga could pull off a few shocks in their second ever World Cup appearance as they have some really talented players at their disposal.