Sadio Mané: We want to make Africa proud

Sadio Mane of Senegal celebrates a goal with teammates during the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers football match between South Africa and Senegal at Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane on 10 November 2017 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

by Bertin Basson

Saturday Nov 11, 2017. 14:14

Senegal ace Sadio Mané has revealed that there was a lot of pressure on him to perform for the Teranga Lions leading into their clash against South Africa in Polokwane.

The Liverpool attacker rose to the occasion setting up both goals for the West African's in a 2-0 win. Victory securing their sport at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia - a return to the world stage for the first time in 16 years.

"It was not an easy game for us, but we kept on wishing and believing and in the end of the day I think we deserved it," Mané told SuperSport in reflection of their win at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

"Honestly it was not easy for me as there was a lot of pressure, but that is normal for any player. You just have to believe in yourself and in your own quality, work hard every time and things will go your way.

"We worked together as a team, we continued to push. This is a great achievement for all the players.

Moreover, the 25-year-old explained that they hope to do the whole African continent proud in Russia next year.

"This is for all Africa, we want to go there and make Africa proud," the Liverpool attacker concluded.