Sports

Liverpool forward Sadio Mane becomes Senegal’s all-time top scorer with a hat-trick against Benin

June 5, 2022
Bharat Times

Sadio Mane scored all three goals for Senegal against Benin in an Africa Cup of Nations qualification match. The treble took him up to 32 goals for Senegal, moving past Henri Camara as his country’s most prolific player of all time.

Sadio Mane during a training session for Liverpool. (Courtesy: AP)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Sadio Mane has scored 32 goals for Senegal
  • Sadio Mane struck thrice for Senegal against Benin
  • Sadio Mane joined Liverpool from Southampton in 2016

Liverpool forward Sadio Mane scripted history for his national team, becoming Senegal’s all-time top scorer.

The 30-year-old achieved the feat during an Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Benin on Saturday. Mane netted all the goals in Senegal’s 3-1 victory over Benin.

Mane fired in a penalty in the 12th minute and went onto strike twice again in the 22nd and 60th minutes.

The treble took Mane up to 32 goals for Senegal, moving past Henri Camara as his country’s most prolific player of all time.

Meanwhile, Mane revealed that he will do “what the Senegalese people want” amid speculation that the star could leave Anfield with just a year remaining on his current contract.

Mane, who has been linked with a move to German champions Bayern Munich, earlier said that he would announce a decision following last weekend’s Champions League final against Real Madrid, which Liverpool lost 1-0.

Speaking ahead of Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin, he told reporters that he had seen an online poll that showed a majority of his compatriots were in favour of a summer move.

“Like everyone else, I’m on social media and I see the comments,” Mane said.

“Isn’t it between 60-70 percent of Senegalese that want me to leave Liverpool? I will do what they want. We will see soon. Don’t be in a hurry because we will see this together. The future will tell us.”

Mane signed for Liverpool from Southampton in 2016 and has been an integral part of Jurgen Klopp’s side, winning the 2018-19 Champions League and the league title the following season. He also helped Liverpool to the League Cup and FA Cup double last season, contributing 23 goals in all competitions.