Senegal defeated South Africa 2-0 in Polokwane on FRI 10 NOV 2017, securing top spot in CAF Group D and qualifying for the Men’s World Cup for the second time in their history. The match was a replay of a match annulled due to match manipulation by the referee.

A brilliantly slotted pass from Sadio MANÉ found Diafra SAKHO for the opening goal twelve minutes in. Toward the end of the first half, Senegal’s advantage was extended when a shot attempt from Mané was saved by goalkeeper Itumeleng KHUNE. However, he could only look on helplessly as the rebound deflected off his own teammate and skipped into the net.

When the teams originally played on SAT 12 NOV 2016, Bafana Bafana came away with a 2-1 victory, but match referee Joseph LAMPTEY was later found to have influenced the result illegally and was banned for life.

The Teranga Lions return to the Men’s World Cup after making their only prior appearance in 2002, when they famously defeated title holders France on their way to the quarterfinals.