Senegal's 1-0 home win against Morocco in July 2001 was the Lions of Teranga's most important victory on the road to South Korea and Japan.

Senegalese domestic champions Jeanne d'Arc desperately need some of that form and good fortune against Moroccan rivals Raja of Casablanca if they are to make further progress in the Champions League.

Raja, Morocco's 'Green Devils', arrive in Dakar with their confidence restored by a 2-1 win against Al Ahly of Egypt.

Jeanne d'Arc need to show they have not been blown off course by the disappointing 1-0 home defeat by Congolese champions, Tout Puissant Mazembe.

Since then, JA have secured a 0-0 draw with the visiting Mauritanian national and beaten the Espoirs Senegalais side 3-0.

Coach Amsata Fall says those performances "have given us back our rhythm and restored a bit of confidence".

Raja too are waiting for the start of the Moroccan championship.

Having relinquished the domestic title, Raja badly need success in the Champions League.

As three time winners, in 1989, 1997 and 1999, they have a stronger pedigree than JA.

But Raja's Belgian coach, Walter Meeuws, is not underestimating the opposition.

Meeuws has already singled out Muhamadou Diaow as the man Raja have to watch. Diaow's performance was one of the few redeeming features in JA's dismal defeat by TP Mazembe.

Back in Dakar taking on his old team is Mohamed Ali Diallo, whose goals were so crucial for Raja in earlier rounds.

After training at the L�opold Senghor stadium, Diallo told reporters he was happy to be back in Dakar, but played down the significance of his old ties with Jeanne d'Arc.

"I've prepared for this match as I would for any other", said Diallo.

"We have a lot of respect for Jeanne d'Arc. They are a team known across the continent, but it's a match like all the others we have to play to get through".