Senegal head coach Aliou Cisse has dedicated the Teranga Lions’ 2-1 win over Ecuador at the 2022 FIFA World Cup to injured Bayern Munich talisman Sadio Mane.
The West African giants have had to do without their all-time top scorer who is recovering from a knee injury he sustained just before the mundial in Qatar.
Despite doubts about Senegal’s display in Mane’s absence, the reigning African champions saw off World Cup hosts Qatar 3-1 after their opening 2-0 loss to the Netherlands, and they defeated Ecuador in their final group match on Tuesday.
Thanks to goals from Ismaila Sarr and Kalidou Koulibaly, the recent win made the Teranga Lions the first African team to make it to the knockout phase.
“I would like to dedicate this victory to a man who is doing extraordinary things for the country, who is unfortunately not here today. This man is called Sadio Mane,” Cisse said in his post-game conference.
“We know that we are moving to the knockout stage, which is completely different from what we are used to playing in these types of [group] matches. Everyone is a good team, the best teams in the world that are competing. Therefore, we need to be prepared to come up against any side.”
Next up for Senegal is England in the Round of 16. The Three Lions finished top of Group B after seeing off rivals Wales 3-0.
