World Cup: Mané-Doku, Senegal and Belgium await their goalscorer

Senegal's Sadio Mané and Belgium's Jérémy Doku, two lethal weapons for their national team, were not really lethal at the 2026 World Cup and need to recharge quickly before facing each other in the round of 16 on Wednesday in Seattle.

At 24 years old, the Manchester City striker (45 caps, 7 goals) was highly anticipated by the Red Devils after a great season in the Premier League.

However, suffering from a respiratory infection, Doku initially played a lackluster match against Egypt (1-1). He then missed the match against Iran (0-0), having joined his wife in London where she gave birth to a baby boy. This quick trip, authorized by his federation, sparked controversy when Norwegian defender Leo Ostigard remained with his teammates in the United States and witnessed his wife's delivery via FaceTime.

Then Doku started against New Zealand but was replaced at the hour mark during the Red Devils' big victory (5-1).

The national press now hopes that the Manchester City player, finally rid of his health problems, will be able to show his true colors against Senegal.

Ten years his senior, Sadio Mané is playing his last major international tournament with the Lions of Teranga, after winning the African championship title on the field in January, then having it taken away from Morocco.

The former Liverpool striker, who went to al-Nassr where he was crowned Saudi Arabian champion this season with Cristiano Ronaldo, started but did not score in the three group matches against France (3-1 defeat), Norway (3-2 defeat) and Iraq (5-0 victory).

- "An example" -

However, he did have an impact on the game, notably with an assist for Ismaïla Sarr against the Norwegians.

And Senegal coach Pape Thiaw still has full confidence in him: "He does extraordinary things, he is there for the collective, he has an impact, he is the technical leader of this team, he also helps us defensively," he emphasized after the match against Iraq.

Mané, who in June became the fourth-best African goalscorer of the 21st century, "is an example for African and world football. We know how involved he is in this team and that he will give everything," he added.

The Lions, who have also experienced off-field controversies that have since been resolved, are expected to be without goalkeeper Edouard Mendy against Belgium. Mendy was injured and replaced against Iraq by Le Havre's Mory Diaw. Captain Kalidou Koulibaly's performance will also be closely watched after two errors that led to a goal against Norway.

On the Belgian side, Romelu Lukaku was satisfied on Monday with a substitute role which saw him score a goal against the All Whites.

"I train, I work hard and I'm happy to be here," he said after becoming Belgium's top scorer in the World Cup, ahead of Marc Wilmots.

Coach Rudi Garcia paid tribute to his key players - Leandro Trossard, Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne - who were heavily criticized after the match against Iran.

"I didn't accept being called 'has-beens' and they responded," he declared. Besides Lukaku, De Bruyne scored a goal and provided an assist, while Trossard netted a brace against New Zealand.