Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw declared Friday's World Cup clash with Iraq a 'final' as the team fights to stay in the tournament after two defeats.
The West African side lost to France and Norway, leaving them bottom of Group I. A win is essential, but they may still need favorable results elsewhere to advance as one of the best third-placed teams.
'We're actually playing a sort of a final tomorrow with Senegal and Iraq, because... if you want to stay in the competition, we need to win this game,' Thiaw said ahead of the match in Toronto.
Defender Ismail Jakobs said the team will fight regardless of their fate. Thiaw called on Senegalese fans for support, admitting 'there is no room for mistakes anymore.'
Senegal will be without first-choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who suffered an injury against Norway.