Senegalese president Macky Sall has praised Senegal’s duo Sadio Mane and Keita Balde for their efforts carried out in their respective villages largely in favour of the population.
Senegal has witnessed a resurgence of football of late ,one of the key sport discipline in the country with the African heavyweight eying another continental title. Now considered one of Africa’s most celebrated players,Mane has taken Senegal to the lime light featuring in a world cup and a nations cup finals.
The 26 years old Liverpool forward sent 300 Liverpool shirts to Senegal’s smallest village of Bambali in the build up to the UEFA champions league final between Liverpool and Real of Madrid,Mane’s first final in his career.
He has featured for the Teranga Lions of Senegal in 60 appearance scoring in 16 occasions.
Mane,26 years, scored in two of their opening games at Gabon 2017. He equally scored during the Teranga Lions 2-2 draw against Japan in Russian. He came off the bench to help Senegal beat Mali yesterday in an international friendly, scoring a goal and getting an assist. Mane made his international debut for Senegal in 2012 and has since then honoured his country.He missed out from just one international competition,during the 2015 AFCON due to a calf injury.
24 year old Keita Balde has been the pride for Senegal at both national and international level. The Spanish born decided to play for Senegal and made his debut in 2017 when Aliou Cissé called him up for their 2017 AFCON qualifier clash against Niger. He has 21 caps for Senegal,scoring 4.
He was among Senegal’s 23 man squad at the 2018 FIFA world cup.
The former FC Barcelone and Internazionale winger on loan from Monaco has scored all of his 4 goals away.
Beng Emmanuel
