Senegal on Friday sealed a return to the FIFA
World Cup for the first time since their 2002 debut thanks to a 2-0 win over
South Africa in World Cup qualifying African Group D.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that
Diafra Sakho scored the opener for the visitors in Polokwane, before a somewhat
fortuitous Thamsanqa Mkhize own goal sealed the three points for the Teranga
Lions.
The visitors are now five points ahead of
nearest Group D challengers Burkina Faso with one game remaining.
Senegal stunned the world by beating World
Cup holders France in their first ever game at the global finals in 2002.
If they are to produce performances to match
that at Russia 2018, it is likely that Liverpool’s Sadio Mane will be the
catalyst.
Unsurprisingly, Mane was integral to the
victory that booked their World Cup return, with a wonderfully incisive through
ball teeing up Sakho for the opener.
2010 World Cup hosts South Africa played
their part – and even dominated possession for spells – in a lively match, with
Lebogang Manyama hitting the crossbar.
But the second goal, just before half-time,
knocked the wind out of their sails.
Head coach Aliou Cisse was the Senegalese
captain during their 2002 debut, which saw them follow up that remarkable
opening win against France to reach the quarter-finals.
The former midfielder will be hoping he can
inspire them to achieve similarly superlative heights next year in Russia.
(NAN)
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