- 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier (Group D):
- South Africa 0-2 Senegal
West Africans Senegal booked their place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia on Friday.
This followed their 2-0 victory against South Africa in a Group D encounter at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
South Africa had defeated Senegal 2-1 in Polokwane last November, but FIFA ordered a replay because of “match manipulation” by Ghanaian referee Joseph Lamptey, who was later banned for life.
During the replay, West Ham striker Diafra Sakho opened the scoring off a pass from Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane in the 12th minute.
The pair were involved in the move that led to a Thamsanqa Mkhize own-goal before half-time.
Victory gave Senegal a five-point lead over Burkina Faso and Cape Verde in Group D with one round left.
The only previous World Cup appearance by Senegal was in 2002 when current coach Aliou Cisse captained a team that reached the quarterfinals in South Korea and Japan.
Bottom-of-the-table South Africa lie seven points behind Senegal ahead of a return match in Dakar next Tuesday, with Burkina Faso hosting Cape Verde at the same time.
Senegal became the third African country to qualify for the World Cup in Russia after Nigeria and Egypt, who secured places during the penultimate qualifying round last month.
North African countries Tunisia and Morocco only require draws to qualify as complete the 5 countries that will represent Africa at the World Cup.
Tunisia host out-of-contention Libya in Group A holding a three-point advantage over the Democratic Republic of Congo, who play Guinea in Kinshasa.
Morocco are one point in front of the Ivory Coast ahead of a showdown in Abidjan with the visitors hoping to end a 20-year absence from the World Cup.