Liverpool forward Sadio Mane has been handed a World Cup boost, with Senegal now set to replay the 1st leg of their CAF World Cup qualifiers against South Africa.
The match ended in a 2-1 win in favour of South Africa last November, but Ghanaian referee Joseph Lamptey, who officiated the game was adjudged by both CAF and FIFA to have manipulated the result, having given the hosts a penalty for what appeared to be a handball by Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly.
However, further video evidences showed the ball clearly hit the defender’s knee, instead of the ruled hand.
Hence, after banning Lamptey for life in March, FIFA has ordered for a replay, which will take place at a yet-to-be announced date in November.
Senegal are currently 3rd in Group D, a point behind joint leaders Burkina Faso and Cape Verde, and a win over South Africa will put them comfortably in first position and through to Russia 2018, provided they win their October qualifiers – the return legs against Cape Verde and South Africa.
The rightfully rescheduled game has now presented a clear opportunity for Mane and his teammates to make it to the World Cup, having risked missing out of it.
Having scored just once in the CAF Third Round qualifiers, the Reds wideman would now hope to help lead his side to much-needed victories with his strikes in the remaining 3 games.
