By James Copnall BBC Sport, Dakar

Coach Ernest Ramakau is optimistic of beating the odds

Lesotho are convinced they are going to ruin Senegal's Nations Cup finals qualification party.

The Lions will qualify for Tunisa 2004 if they get a point against Lesotho in Dakar on Saturday - but the Crocodiles say that will not happen.

Lesotho captain Malefetsane Pheko, who plays for Lesotho Defence Force, leads the charge.

"We are going to beat Senegal, I promise you we are going to beat Senegal," Pheko said.

Senegal have good players, but they are not like Nigeria or Cameroon Lesotho captain Malefetsane Pheko

"Senegal have good players, but they are not like other teams like Nigeria or Cameroon.

"We are faster than Senegalese players, and we will use this speed to beat them.

"I am telling you today, on Saturday we are going to beat Senegal."

Lesotho have yet to win a match, or score a goal in this Nations Cup group 8, but coach Ernest Mafa Ramakau is just as optimistic.

"My aim is to win," he told BBC Sport.

"We are well prepared; we have had so many friendly matches, so we will be in good shape.

Lehlohonolo Seema is Lesotho's star player

"We are a little weak in the backline, but we are going to put them under pressure.

"I am going to attack, and nothing else. I would not come here to defend, so we are going to attack from the outset."

The Crocodiles' one foreign based player, Lehlohonolo Seema, who plays for Bloemfontein Celtic in South Africa, says playing the World Cup Quarter-finalists will raise the Lesotho players to new heights.

"Always the underdogs come out with surprises," Seema said.

"We will not be under any pressure, so we will just go out and play our football.