Hammer Cheik Kouyate will lead Senegal in the World Cup as their captain.

Senegal’s primary objective at the World Cup is to make their people proud and “write our own story”, captain Cheikhou Kouyate told reporters as the squad began training in the beach resort of Saly-Portudal.

Senegal will make only their second World Cup appearance when they compete in Group H at next month’s finals in Russia against Poland, Japan and Colombia.

Their previous appearance in 2002 saw them beat holders France in the opening game and go onto to become only the second African team to reach the quarter-finals.

“The World Cup is a competition that takes place every four years and it is not given to everyone to take part,” Kouyate said. “We have the chance now to participate and we will prepare well to please the Senegalese people. We want to write our own story. We are going to play match by match, but the most important thing is to be ready on the day of the game,” the West Ham midfielder added.

Senegal face Luxembourg in an International friendly on Thursday 7pm at the Stade Josy Barthel

Kouyate World Cup Fixtures

Tuesday, June 19 (4pm): Poland v Senegal ITV

Sunday, June 24 (4pm):  Japan v Senegal BBC

Thursday, June 28 (3pm): Senegal v Colombia BBC