WCQ 2022: Mane: I was luckier than Salah

Sadio Mane of Senegal celebrates winning the FIFA Qatar 2022 World Cup Africa qualifying match between Egypt and Senegal at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium in Dakar, Senegal, 29 March 2022. EPA/ALIOU MBAYE

by Staff Reporter

Thursday Mar 31, 2022. 10:13

Senegal vice-captain Sadio Mane says he was luckier than his Liverpool FC teammate Mohamed Salah of Egypt during the dreaded penalty shootout.

Mane fired the Teranga Lions to the 2022 Fifa World Cup finals in Qatar when he scored the last spot-kick for his side as the winner of the ticket was decided from the spot on Tuesday.

While the Pharaohs trio of Salah, Ahmed Sayed Zizo, and Mostafa Mohamed missed their spot-kicks in the final round of qualification second-leg clash after the tie had ended in a 1-1 draw on aggregate.

“I won twice and he lost twice, I was luckier to come out on top,” Mane said on KingFut.

“I am very proud that we won the Africa Cup of Nations and now qualified for the World Cup, it’s a dream I had.”

Mane also scored the last spot-kick during the final of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations against Egypt and Senegal clinched their maiden continental title just last month.

The 2019 CAF African Footballer of the Year stressed the importance of helping the Lions of Teranga qualify for the upcoming World Cup finals.

“I believe it was a difficult game for both teams,” the former Southampton FC winger added.

“Our fans pushed us to win and we didn’t stop fighting. We knew the game wouldn’t be easy, but we pressed to score.”

The 2022 World Cup is scheduled to take place from 21 November to 18 December 2022.