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Ambitious Lens bank on African talent Posted: Friday August 02, 2002 9:50 AMLENS, France (Reuters) -- Ambitious RC Lens will primarily bank on its African players, and particularly on its Senegalese, in the chase for the French title when it visits Bastia in its season's opening match Saturday. No less than 10 players of the squad are from African countries including Mali, Nigeria, Cameroon and Senegal. "We have picked up this option because they are guys who are not afraid to bend over backwards when they play," said coach Joel Muller. "For equivalent skills and experience, they are half the price of an European player," he said. "We can field two guys for every position on the pitch and most of them have experienced football at the highest level." Senegal created one the biggest sensations in the World Cup's history when it beat holder France 1-0 in the opening match of the tournament on its first appearance. While France was eliminated in the first round without a single goal scored, the African players reached the quarterfinals, bowing out to Turkey 1-0 on a golden goal. Even if it has lost its prolific goalmaker El-Hadji Diouf who has joined Premier League side Liverpool during the summer break, Lens looks a strong side and one of the favorites in the 20-side league. Good start Cameroon team captain Rigobert Song expressed confidence but also underlined Lens will need a good start after losing the title to Olympique Lyon in a dramatic finish last season. "We are going to Bastia with the will to win," Song said. "It's always better to gather confidence early in the year. "If things don't turn out well, there is a risk that it mars the atmosphere in the squad and it can be dangerous for the rest of the season," he said. RC Lens retained the leading spot in the French league table for more than 20 matches last season before Lyon snatched the crown on the last day. "It's crucial not to lose the first match," said Muller. "A season can be decided on very tiny details. But I will wait for the first six days to have more of an clue. "We will have a good idea next month about what we can aim at. We will have a much more accurate picture about our strengths and our weaknesses." RC Lens is to take part in the lucrative Champions League, an event it has only played in once after winning the 1998 French title. For Saturday's match, Lens will only be missing Senegal's Zoumana Camara who is nursing a groin injury. Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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