Friday Jun 05, 2026. 14:00
With their Group I clash at the 2026 FIFA World Cup just days away, all eyes are on whether Sadio Mane and Senegal can repeat history by toppling favourites France at MetLife Stadium on June 16.
Exactly 24 years ago, Papa Bouba Diop’s iconic header gave unfancied Senegal a famous 1-0 opening win over the reigning world champions in the 2002 tournament.
That shock result set the tone for an unforgettable campaign and remains one of African football’s greatest moments.
Senegal’s West African rivals, Ivory Coast’s stunning 2-1 friendly victory over France on June 4 has sent belief surging across the continent that another African upset is possible.
At 34, Mane arrives in red-hot form, captaining Senegal to AFCON 2025 glory with match-winning performances and still delivering goals and leadership at Al-Nassr as they clinched the 2025/26 Saudi Pro League title.
Senegal possess experience, defensive solidity and dangerous counter-attacking threats that could exploit any French complacency.
However, France remain the world’s top-ranked side with unmatched squad depth, even if their recent warmup exposed occasional vulnerabilities.
Much will depend on whether Mane can inspire his Lions to match the intensity and organisation that stunned the world in 2002.
The former Liverpool FC winger arrives in red-hot form after netting twice against the USA in a recent friendly, further cementing his status as Senegal’s greatest hope and adding to his tally as the Lions of Teranga’s all-time record goalscorer (55 goals).
A positive result would not only boost Senegal’s knockout hopes but also send a powerful message that African teams are ready to challenge the elite on the global stage.
History beckons once more — can Mane and the Lions of Teranga deliver another unforgettable win?