Senegal attempt to salvage some pride from a disastrous African Nations Cup campaign when they take on Libya in their last group match in Bata.

From our toppartner allAfrica.com

It is a game without any likely impact on the tournament and will almost certainly be the last for both teams at the competition.

Libya still have an outside mathematical chance of progressing to the quarter-finals but Senegal are out after losing their opening two matches.

The Lions of Teranga had been one of the pre-tournament favourites but now the future of their coach Amara Traore is in doubt, their team might be dismantled and key striker Moussa Sow has already left the tournament, to finalise a transfer from French champions Lille to Fenerbahce in Turkey.

His absence does not limit the options of the Senegal coach, who has a battery of top strikers at his disposal. His problem is that none of them have been able to kick on and achieve at the Nations Cup.

Biggest shock
Senegal's loss to Equatorial Guinea in their second group game on Wednesday was arguably the biggest shock in tournament history.

To lose to Libya would be almost as big an upset because the north Africans are a side who have had to overcome the most incredible adversity over the last year and looked out of their depth in the tournament.

Libya would need to beat Senegal and hope that Zambia lose at the same time to Equatorial Guinea to go through. The odds are heavily stacked against this, although it has been a tournament that has overturned the form book.

Young generation
Senegal players have been appealing for calm in the wake of the two defeats and said on the eve of the match they feared the team would be dismantled - a move they feel far too extreme.

"It is true that we did not put in the competition we could have considering that the names we have in our side, which were enough to win the football match," said veteran central defender Souleymane Diawara.

"But there is no point in expanding on the errors. We must keep going in our direction and support this young generation."

Coach Traore hinted he might play some of those who had yet to see action at the tournament. But there is still uncertainty over Queen's Park Ranger defender Armand Traore and Newcastle United's new signing Papiss Demba Cisse, who are both suffering from stomach complaints.