Senegal booked their place at the 2018 Fifa World Cup with a 2-0 win over South Africa Friday evening.
Sadio Mane played the leading role to take the Teranga Lions to Russia. They have now taken an unassailable lead in Group D of the African qualifiers.
The 25-year-old winger set up the opening strike for Diafra Sakho after 12 minutes.
The Liverpool man then had a shot saved shortly before half-time, which rebounded off home defender Thamsanqa Mkhize for an own goal.
The win put Senegal on 11 points in the standings, out of the reach of the rest of the teams.
It ensures a second appearance at the World Cup finals after they reached the quarter-finals in Japan and South Korea in 2002.
Friday’s match was a replay after South Africa had beaten Senegal 2-1 at the same venue a year ago, only for FIFA to find that the outcome had been manipulated by Ghanaian referee Joseph Lamptey, who has since been handed a life ban.
Lineups:
South Africa: Khune; Hlanti, Daniels, Gould, Mkhize – Furman, Mokotjo, Zwane (Tshabalala 69′) – Vilakazi (Grobler 83′) – Manyama (Jali 63′), Tau.
Senegal: K.Ndiaye, Gassama, Kouyate (A. Ndiaye 86′), Koulibaly, Sabaly – Sanè, Gueye , Ndoye – Manè, Niang (Ciss 90+3′), Sakho (Konatè 78′).
