Sadio Mane looking forward to World Cup qualifying test against South Africa

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Monday Nov 06, 2017. 17:30

Senegal and Liverpool star, Sadio Mane has expressed happiness after making his comeback for the Reds in the English Premier League last weekend.

Mane also said he is ready to face South Africa in their upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier away on November 10 and and at home four days later.

The 25-year-old suffered a hamstring injury while playing for the Lions of Teranga on October 7 and only made his return in Liverpool's 4-1 victory over West Ham on Saturday.

Although Senegal lost 2-1 to Bafana Bafana last year, FIFA ordered the match to be replayed after finding Ghanaian referee Joseph Lamptey guilty of match manipulation.

Coach Aliou Cisse and his troops now need two points from their remaining two qualifying matches to secure a place at next year's World Cup in Russia.

2018 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS: GROUP A HEAD-TO-HEADS

"I am very happy to be back because it was not easy," Mane told BBC Sport.

"There's no excuse for me now - I was injured but I was always working hard."

"It's going to be tough because we know how South Africa is, even when they are not in good form.

"We respect them but we also know we have quality and we have a great team and I think we can do it.

"Everybody knows what it means for the country - especially the fans - and I think it will be a dream for us and hopefully God will help us to qualify.

"Every player would love to play until the end of the season without injury. It's part of football so we accept it and move forward."