Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane has singled out Sadio Mane’s X-factor after he won his fourth trophy in six months.
The Senegal talisman got his Bayern Munich career off to a perfect start after scoring in the Bundesliga champions’ 5-3 win over Leipzig. They were crowned the German Super Cup on Saturday, the 10th time they won the competition.
The recently-crowned African Player of the Year moved to Bavaria this summer, ending a six-year flirtation with English giants Liverpool.
His first competitive goal for his new club came at the half-hour mark, with two other goals he scored ruled out for offside in the pulsating tie. It was their second goal of the day in the eight-goal thriller.
It came after Jamal Musiala’s inch-perfect pass unlocked the opponents’ offside trap, releasing Serge Gnabry, who set up Mane for a simple tap.
In a tweet, Mosimane, who recently parted ways with Ahly, wrote: “Sadio is a top player, and his strength is that he has a very good consistent high game attitude and temperament! Role model for young African players. Role model and philanthropist.”
During his Reds spell, the Lions of Teranga star, born in Bambali Village, some 250 miles from Dakar, scored 120 goals. He also scored the winning penalty that propelled his country to Africa Cup of Nations glory. His love for philanthropy also came to the fore.
Three years ago, he donated £250,000 to a school in his village. His uncle, who read his speech at the handover ceremony, said: “Education is very important. This is what will enable you to have a good career.”
He gave away 300 Liverpool shirts ahead of the 2018 Champions League final for people to wear. He started his career with Ligue 2 side Metz, at 19 before he joined the Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg in 2012. The move was reportedly worth €4 million and saw him win a league title as well as a domestic double in the 2013/14 season. He then joined Southampton for what was a club-record fee of £11.8 million.
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