Sadio Mane: South Sudan Players Jostle to Take Selfies With Senegal Star After World Cup Qualifier

• Senegal got off to a great start in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers
• Sadio Mane scored twice as they beat South Sudan 4-0 at home
• After the game, South Sudan players went to take selfies with the Al-Nassr star

Senegal registered a routine 4-0 home win over South Sudan in their opening match for the 2026 World Cup qualifying.

After the game, South Sudan players seemed excited to meet Sadio Mane, one of Africa's best players. They were seen taking selfies with the Al-Nassr star despite their heavy defeat.

It was a momentous match for Mane, who bagged two goals in what was his 100th appearance for the Lions of Teranga. The 31-year-old helped Senegal win their first Africa Cup of Nations title in 2022, per BBC.

Lamine Camara Pape Matar Sarr scored the other two goals in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

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After the game, several South Sudan players and staff went over to the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich star to take selfies. The Premier League and Champions League winner was all smiles as they took the selfies, per Hot in Juba.

One of the players who was happy to take a selfie with Mane was South Sudan goalkeeper Majak Mawith.

In the match, Mane became just the 10th African player to reach 40 international goals. Legends like Cameroon's Roger Milla (43), Ghana's Asamoah Gyan (51), Egypt's Mohamed Salah (55), Cameroon's Samuel Eto’o (56), and Ivory Coast's Didier Drogba (65) have crossed that number.

Another defeat for South Sudan

It was a heavy defeat for South Sudan, but ultimately, there's no shame in losing to the defending AFCOn champions.

South Sudan Football Association came into existence in April 2011, per FIFA, and despite numerous challenges, they have made positive strides in the sport.

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In their short history, they have beaten the likes of Kenya, Malawi, and Equatorial Guinea. They still have a way to go to become a regional powerhouse.

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Mane reaches new milestone

Sports Brief earlier reported on Mane reaching a new milestone with Senegal.

The Al-Nassr forward scored in both halves as the Teranga Lions strolled to a comfortable win at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Darkar.

The Saudi-based winger was presented with a jersey with the number 100 to mark his achievement with the national team.