Fit Mane a threat to Bafana
For Senegal's best player to be fit and firing again is not exactly the best news for Bafana Bafana fans ahead of two key 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.
But there was Sadio Mane, providing two assists for Liverpool as they hammered West Ham United 4-1 on Saturday night, proving his readiness for Friday night’s clash in Polokwane and the return game in Dakar on November 14.
South Africa’s task, to win both games if they are to make it to Russia 2018, already difficult, has just got even more perilous, with the return of the 25-year-old forward.
Aliou Cisse’s Teranga Lions squad is full of talent from across Europe’s leagues, but there is no doubt Mane is at the top of the class, even if his sensational form for Liverpool does not always translate at international level.
He, along with the rest of the Senegal side, cut a frustrated figure almost exactly a year ago as Bafana Bafana “beat” Senegal 2-1 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
That result, however, has now been annulled by Fifa, after they banned referee Joseph Lamptey for life for match manipulation in Polokwane, with the world footballing body subsequently ordering a replay at the same venue.
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Senegal then put themselves on the brink of a place in Russia when they won 2-0 in Cape Verde last month, meaning they need just two more points from home-and-away matches against Bafana to be sure of a place in next year’s showpiece.
In a strange twist of fate, it could well be that Cisse, so furious upon leaving the Peter Mokaba Stadium a year ago, could leave the same venue on Friday celebrating a place in Russia.
Even if Mane is not firing on all cylinders, Senegal will probably believe they have enough firepower to end the hopes of Stuart Baxter’s Bafana.
Keita Balde, 22, on loan at French champions Monaco from Lazio this season, has three goals already in six appearances.
Another young striker, Mbaye Niang, is playing in Serie A with Torino, while there is also West Ham United’s Diafra Sakho and Moussa Sow, who is currently playing in the UAE, but also spent several seasons banging in goals for Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
The individual parts do not always add up to a whole with Senegal – they battled to two draws in September qualifiers against Burkina Faso, and struggled against Cape Verde before winning the game late on. But it is hard to see them throwing away the lifeline they have been handed in Polokwane. And even if they slip up there, Cisse’s side have the insurance of another chance in Dakar a few days later.
And with Mane on board, their case for a place in Russia has just got that bit stronger.
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