International Football
VIDEO – HERO’S WELCOME FOR SADIO MANE IN SINGAPORE
Sadio Mane had stepped into the lobby of Swissotel The Stamford on Tuesday afternoon with airpods in his ears, but the Liverpool star was not deaf to the adulation of the many Liverpool fans present.
To the tune of The Archies’ Sugar Sugar, the 80-strong crowd
heartily serenaded their favourite footballer, singing “Sadio, Oh Mane
Mane!” as the Senegal forward arrived for his first visit to Singapore.
Some of the fans had made a beeline for the hotel as early as 10am to catch a glimpse of the 27-year-old, who is here with his national team. The Lions of Teranga are here as part of the Brazil Global Tour that sees the Selecao play Senegal on Thursday and Nigeria on Sunday at the National Stadium.
Looking somewhat bemused by the strong support, Mane did his best to entertain as many autograph and wefie requests as possible on both sides of the barricades, which had been set up to allow the team to pass through.
Clad in a cap bearing his SM10 initials, Senegal team jacket, white polo-tee and track pants, and carrying a white backpack, there were a couple of times when he looked like he was about to scoot off, only to stop and sign more memorabilia and accede to more photo requests.
Sylvester Ng could not help himself as he jumped and whooped in delight after securing a wefie and a signature on a Liverpool FC magazine featuring the No. 10.
The 18-year-old student, who had staked out the hotel since 1pm, told The Straits Times: “Shiok ah! I have supported Liverpool since I was in Primary 5, and Sadio Mane ever since he joined from Southampton in 2016, so you can say he is my childhood hero. I feel so, so lucky.”
C.T. Lim, a 45-year-old businessman, also took time off work to take his nine-year-old son Jia Le, who was clad in a Liverpool jersey, to the hotel. They were rewarded when Mane signed on their Champions of Europe book.
He said: “We like Mane not only because is he a good player, but he is also a kind-hearted person who gives back to society. We will also be supporting him and the other Liverpool players in the Brazil team from the front row on Thursday.”
In contrast to the Brazil team, who had arrived in batches, the 23-man Senegal team and their backroom staff arrived together at Changi Airport at 3.22pm following a 12-hour flight from Paris, where they had assembled.
Playing for the first time in Singapore, they will be hoping that the Republic will be where their fortunes turn around after suffering wretched luck in recent major tournaments.
At last year’s World Cup, they finished with the same points, goals scored and conceded as Japan, whom they had drawn 2-2 with in Group H. But with both teams placed behind group winners Colombia, the Africans became the first team in World Cup history to be eliminated by the fair play criteria as they had accumulated more bookings than the Samurai Blue.
Then, in July’s African Cup of Nations, Aliou Cisse’s men strode into the final, which they dominated, only to lose 1-0 to Algeria, who made their one shot at goal count.
Senegalese YouTuber Stan Diop, who runs the Les Outsiderz channel which covers the team, told ST: “Of course, when you lose under such circumstances, it is hurtful, but the mood is generally good within the team.
“We have the same coach since 2015 and the team have been largely successful. There is a good hype around the team and I think we can match the Brazilians.
“People see the Brazil superstars, but when we look at our players, we have Mane, who has played with and earned the respect of Brazilians like Roberto Firminho and Fabinho, one of the best defenders in Kalidou Koulibaly, and the new PSG fan favourite Idrissa Gueye.
“I was surprised to see fans stopping our goalkeeper coach Tony Sylva, which shows how knowledgeable some of them are here. Maybe not many people know about Senegal, so it would be nice to show to the world outside Africa what Senegal are about through these friendlies.”
Tickets for both games are still available at www.sportshubtix.sg, Singapore Indoor Stadium box office, all SingPost outlets, The Star Performing Arts Centre box office and Scotts Square concierge desk or ring 3158-7888.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles put up a spirited performance but were edged 2-1 by Portugal in an international friendly at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The match served as Portugal’s final tune-up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and offered the Nigerians a chance to test themselves against one of Europe’s leading sides led by veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal drew first blood in the 23rd minute when Pedro Neto broke the deadlock, firing past Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye after a lively opening period in which both teams created opportunities.
The Super Eagles responded positively and were rewarded eight minutes before halftime when striker Akor Adams found the equaliser. The goal capped an impressive Nigerian fightback and ensured the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
Ronaldo, making a rare appearance against Nigeria, started the match and remained on the pitch until the 67th minute. The 41-year-old was given a standing ovation by the home crowd when he was replaced by Gonçalo Ramos.
Portugal made several changes after the interval as coach Roberto Martinez rotated his squad in preparation for the World Cup. Despite the substitutions, the hosts continued to press for a winner.
Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Francisco Conceição struck the decisive goal, restoring Portugal’s lead and ultimately securing victory for the European side.
Nigeria battled to find another equaliser in the closing stages but Portugal’s defence held firm to preserve the 2-1 result.
The defeat means Portugal have now won both meetings between the two countries. Their first encounter came in Lisbon in November 2022, when the Portuguese recorded a convincing 4-0 victory in a pre-World Cup friendly.
While the result will disappoint Nigerian supporters, the Super Eagles can take encouragement from their resilient display against one of the teams widely tipped to make a strong impact at the World Cup. Akor Adams’ goal and Nigeria’s competitive showing against a star-studded Portuguese side provided positive signs as the team continues its rebuilding process under the national team set-up.
For Portugal, the victory provides a confidence boost as they head to North America, where they hope their talented midfield and experienced squad can propel them to a successful World Cup campaign.
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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the starting line-up when the Selecao take on Nigeria in an international friendly match which kicks off in a few minutes tonight.
The 41-year-old forward, who remains a key figure in the Portuguese national team, has been named among the starters as Portugal continue preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures.
Ronaldo’s inclusion is expected to add further excitement to the encounter, with Nigerian fans eager to see one of football’s greatest players in action against the Super Eagles.
The match offers Nigeria another opportunity to test themselves against top European opposition, while Portugal will look to sharpen their squad ahead of future international assignments.
Kick-off is scheduled for later tonight, with both teams expected to field strong line-ups in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Portugal will meet for only the second time at the senior level when they clash in an international friendly in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The encounter comes under remarkably similar circumstances to their first meeting in November 2022, when Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Lisbon just days before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Once again, Portugal are using Nigeria as their final warm-up match before the World Cup. Four years ago, the Portuguese selected the Super Eagles to prepare for a group-stage clash against Ghana, the team that denied Nigeria a place at Qatar 2022.
History appears to be repeating itself. This time, Portugal are preparing for a World Cup opening fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo, another team that shattered Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions by eliminating the Super Eagles from the qualification race.
The match at the 29,000-capacity Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa offers Nigeria an opportunity to avenge the heavy defeat suffered four years ago and test themselves against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has assembled a star-studded squad featuring five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leão and João Félix.
The Portuguese head into the encounter unbeaten in their last four matches, having recorded victories over the United States and Chile while drawing with Mexico.
Nigeria, under coach Eric Chelle, have also enjoyed an impressive run. Since taking charge 15 months ago, the Franco-Malian tactician has overseen 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in regulation time.
With both teams carrying impressive recent records, Wednesday’s friendly promises to be far more competitive than the scoreline from their last meeting suggests.
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