<p class="bodytext">English Premier League pair Diafra Sakho and Sadio Mane played key roles as Senegal defeated South Africa 2-0 in Polokwane to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.</p>.<p class="bodytext">West Ham striker Sakho opened the scoring off a pass from Liverpool attacker Mane and both were involved in the move that led to a Thamsanqa Mkhize own-goal before half-time on Friday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Victory gave Senegal an uncatchable five-point lead over Burkina Faso and Cape Verde in Group D with one round left.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The only previous World Cup appearance by Senegal was in 2002 when current coach Aliou Cisse captained a team that reached the quarterfinals in South Korea and Japan.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Bottom-of-the-table South Africa lie seven ponts behind Senegal ahead of a return match in Dakar next Tuesday, with Burkina Faso hosting Cape Verde at the same time.</p>.<p class="bodytext">South Africa defeated Senegal 2-1 in Polokwane last November, but FIFA ordered a replay because of "match manipulation" by Ghanaian referee Joseph Lamptey, who was banned for life.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"It was not an easy game for us, but we took the chances that came our way," said Mane.</p>
<p class="bodytext">English Premier League pair Diafra Sakho and Sadio Mane played key roles as Senegal defeated South Africa 2-0 in Polokwane to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.</p>.<p class="bodytext">West Ham striker Sakho opened the scoring off a pass from Liverpool attacker Mane and both were involved in the move that led to a Thamsanqa Mkhize own-goal before half-time on Friday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Victory gave Senegal an uncatchable five-point lead over Burkina Faso and Cape Verde in Group D with one round left.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The only previous World Cup appearance by Senegal was in 2002 when current coach Aliou Cisse captained a team that reached the quarterfinals in South Korea and Japan.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Bottom-of-the-table South Africa lie seven ponts behind Senegal ahead of a return match in Dakar next Tuesday, with Burkina Faso hosting Cape Verde at the same time.</p>.<p class="bodytext">South Africa defeated Senegal 2-1 in Polokwane last November, but FIFA ordered a replay because of "match manipulation" by Ghanaian referee Joseph Lamptey, who was banned for life.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"It was not an easy game for us, but we took the chances that came our way," said Mane.</p>