Africa’s final hope feeling no pressure

SENEGAL will carry the hopes of a continent into their last group game against Colombia today.

Yet defender Kalidou Koulibaly says there is no pressure in being Africa’s sole round-of-16 prospect.

Senegal need a point while Colombia must win to guarantee a knockout spot, where England could be waiting.

Senegal are flying the flag for Africa are its other representatives in Russia, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria and Tunisia, bowed out in the group stage.

“It is something positive, rather than pressure,” added Koulibaly, above.

“We know the whole continent is supporting us, it is highly positive. We know we have the Senegalese people behind us.

“We have to end with flying colours and do our utmost to get into the round of 16.”

After opening their campaign with a 2-1 win over Poland, Senegal twice lost the lead to draw 2-2 with Japan, leaving the group in the balance.

Manager Aliou Cisse said his side would not be playing for a point against Colombia. “We want to win, the instruction is to play to win,” he said.

Colombia’s James Rodriguez was the star of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and he is looking to showcase his skills again.

The 26-year-old, whose indifferent efforts at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have seen him fade from the spotlight, looks to have rekindled his desire in a national shirt.

In a team with plenty of quality attacking players, including Radamel Falcao and Juan Cuadrado, it is still Rodriguez who makes Colombia tick.

They look much more threatening with him in full flow – as in the 3-0 win over Poland, though they lost 2-1 to Japan first up.

Rodriguez’s form four years ago took Colombia to the quarter-finals, won him the Golden Boot and sealed a £63million move to Real Madrid.