In the first leg against Ivory Coast, there was surprise among Senegal’s Lions fans when coach Alain Giresse decided to start Alfred Ndiaye in the midfield instead of Sadio Mané. Despite the unexpected benching, Mané, a player immensely popular among Senegalese fans, expressed understanding, citing competition and his modest experience as reasons for his exclusion from the starting lineup.
The 21-year-old talent, a product of the Senegalese team Génération Foot, is regarded as one of Senegal’s most promising players since El Hadj Diouf. Playing for Red Bull Salzburg in Austria, Mané possesses the ability to single-handedly influence and win football matches with his skillful and dynamic style of play. His versatility in changing positions within the midfield makes him a challenging opponent for defenses.
Although Mané may lack the experience of some seasoned players, his performances, especially during the Olympic selection in London last summer, have established him as a leader within the Lions of Teranga. Despite not being a favored choice for Giresse, Mané is considered a player to watch, especially as Senegal faces Ivory Coast with a two-goal deficit in the return leg.
When asked about Senegal’s chances of qualification, Mané remains optimistic, stating, “If we think that qualification is no longer possible, there’s no point in going to play the return match. I think we still have our chances; you have to believe in it until the end.”
