Picture Credit: Twitter
Liverpool forward Sadio Mane has broken former Wigan Athletic forward Henri Camara’s record of 32 goals for Senegal with an incredible hat-trick against Bénin in the African Cup of Nations qualifier at the national stadium in Diamniadio near Dakar.
Mane scored his first goal via a penalty in the 12th minute as David Kiki was reprimanded for a handball in the penalty area. The 30-year-old struck again on 23 minutes as he burst into the box and netted the ball on the second attempt after goalkeeper Saturnin Allagbe blocked his initial shot.
The 2019 Champions League winner then sealed his hattrick with another penalty as Saturnin Allagbé fouled Ismaila Sarr in the box as Senegal received another spot-kick. Bénin then finally managed to score a consolation goal in extra time as Junior Olaitan slotted the ball in the bottom left corner from an Aiyegun Tosin through ball.
Before the match, Mane talked about how he will soon reveal whether he will leave the Merseyside club or not. “I will do what they (the Senegalese people) want. Like everyone else, I'm on social media and I see the comments," he said. "Isn't it between 60 to 70% 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", he quoted.
Similarly, last week Mane had addressed that he will reveal his decision after the UCL final. “This question [about my future] I will answer after Champions League [final], if I'm staying or not,” he told Sky Sports last week. “That is the answer I must give before the final. But come back to me on Saturday and I will give you the best answer you want to hear, for sure. It's special. I will give you all you want to hear then.”