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.
Senegal’s Diafra Sakho scored the opener for the visitors in Polokwane, before a Thamsanqa Mkhize own goal sealed the three points for the Teranga Lions.
Also, Friday night, Nigeria’s Super Eagles showed steel and fibre as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Algeria in Constantine in a match in which the referee openly displayed bias against Nigeria.
John Ogu put the Eagles ahead with a superb curling shot before Yacine Brahimi who was lucky to escape a red card after a gross misconduct drew the hosts level from the penalty spot.
The draw however means the Super Eagles finished the qualifying campaign unbeaten on 14 points while Algeria finished bottom on two points without a win.
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.
