Seattle (USA) (AFP) – Senegal’s Sadio Mane and Belgium’s Jeremy Dokou, their teams’ two main weapons, have been far from lethal at this World Cup and will have to sharpen their aim before meeting each other in the round of 16 on Wednesday in Seattle.
First modification: 06/30/2026 – 13:54
3 min. Reading time
At 24, Doku arrived in the Belgium national team with high hopes after a good season in the Premier League with Manchester City.
However, a respiratory infection hampered his tournament. First, he performed unsuccessfully against Egypt (1-1), and then missed the match with Iran (0-0) to go to London to see his wife, who gave birth to a child.
The Belgian federation’s approval for the trip sparked controversy after Norwegian defender Leo Østigård decided to stay with his teammates in the United States and followed his wife’s birth via FaceTime.
On his return, the striker (45 caps, seven goals) started against New Zealand but left on the hour mark in the Red Devils’ comfortable 5-1 win.
The national press now hopes that, freed from health problems, he will be able to show his true colors to Senegal.
Mane, 34, is playing his last major international tournament for Leones de la Teranga.
In their previous competition, the Africa Cup of Nations, they won the title on the pitch but later lost it to Morocco as the Senegalese were sanctioned for leaving the pitch during the final in protest at a penalty awarded to them.
The former Liverpool striker, who joined Al-Nasr in Saudi Arabia alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, started but failed to score in three group matches against France (3-1 loss), Norway (3-2 loss) and Iraq (5-0).
But he did make an impact, providing an assist for Ismaila Sarr against Norway.
“Example”
Senegal striker Sadio Mane (left) during the 2026 World Cup match against Norway on June 22, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey © Timothy A. CLARY/AFP
Senegalese coach Pape Thiaw maintains confidence in him: “He does outstanding things, he plays for the team, he has an impact, he is the technical leader of this team and also helps us defensively,” he said after the game against Iraq.
Mane, who in June became Africa’s fourth top scorer of the 21st century, “is an example for African and world football. We know how committed he is to this team and that he is going to give his all,” he added.
The Lions could face Belgium without goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who was injured and replaced against Iraq by Maury Diaw.
Captain Kalidou Koulibaly will also come under scrutiny after two errors cost him a goal against Norway.
Romelu Lukaku accepted a substitute role for Belgium on Monday, but that didn’t stop him from scoring against the All Whites.
“I’m training, I’m working and I’m happy to be here,” he said after becoming Belgium’s all-time top scorer at the World Cup, ahead of Mark Wilmots.
Coach Rudi Garcia paid tribute to his leaders Leandro Trossard, Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne, who came under fire after the match against Iran.
“I did not agree that they +were called+ and they answered,” he said.
In addition to Lukaku’s goal, De Bruyne scored a goal and provided an assist, while Trossard scored a brace.
© 2026 AFP