Sadio Mane Equals Didier Drogba’s Record With Strike Against Villareal

• Mane's goal was his 14th in the Champions League knockout stages, the most by any African player
• He moves level with Didier Drogba who enjoyed a stellar campaign with Chelsea winning the title in 2012
• Mane can pull off clear of Drogba and set a new record given that he is just 30 years old

Liverpool’s star forward Sadio Mane scored yesterday against Villareal to tie with Didier Drogba for most goals in the Champions League knockout stages by an African Player.

Mane’s strike in the 55th minute was his 14th goal in the knockout stages of the competition. Liverpool won the game 2-0 to put one leg in this season’s Champions League final.

Villareal’s defender Pervis Estupinan turned in a Jordan Henderson cross to give Liverpool the lead in the 53rd minute. The Yellow Submarines had been compact defensively for long periods in the game. After Estupinan’s own goal, Mohamed Salah nutmegged Pau Torres to set up Sadio Mane to score the second goal.

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Didier Drogba led a glorious Champions League career with Chelsea. He was at hand to score the goal that forced the 2012 final against Bayern Munich to extra- time and eventually penalties. The Ivorian legend then stepped up to score the winning penalty as Chelsea won its maiden title.

At just 30 years of age, Sadio Mane is now on course to eclipse Drogba’s record. The Reds will fly to Spain next week looking to protect their healthy lead. Should they succeed, they will face either Manchester City or Real Madrid in the final slated for Paris. Liverpool is hunting for its second Champions League trophy under Jurgen Klopp.

Mane chasing the quadruple with Liverpool

Liverpool are on the hunt for the quadruple this season. They have already beaten Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final. They will be hoping for a repeat of the same when the two sides meet again in the FA Cup final next month.

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The Premier League title is however too close to call with Jurgen Klopp requiring Manchester City to put a foot wrong. The defending champions lead Liverpool by a point going into the final weeks of the campaign.

Mane should win the Ballon d'Or

At the same time, Sports Brief reported that former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has tipped Mane to win this year's Ballon d’Or award. Aside from his impressive numbers for Liverpool, Mane has achieved momentous success with his Senegalese side.

He led his national team to its first Africa Cup of Nations in February. Mane beat his Liverpool compatriot Mohamed Salah in the final to lift the gong.