The world of football and fans of the game have been dazzled by the presence of African footballers, reaching out for top glory in the biggest leagues and competitions across Europe. The unending battle both on and off the pitch of Africa’s finest talents in recent times has left supporters in awe as they convey their excitement on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) platforms. The game undoubtedly owes gratitude (the last decade: 2012-2022) to big names from the continent of Africa including but not limited to, the former Ivorian international and Chelsea Striker Didier Drogba; former Ivorian international and Manchester City midfield ace Yaya Toure; the Gabonese and Barcelona striker Pierre Emerick Aubameyang; Algerian and Manchester City Winger Riyad Mahrez; former Cameroonian and Turkish side Antalyaspor striker Samuel Eto’o; the Nigerian international and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, amongst other fine talents making the lengthy list.

Notwithstanding these big names from Africa, many retired and a handful now veterans of the game, Africans are now glued to watching two big names: Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane of different national flags (Egypt and Senegal) who have played for the same European club team (Liverpool), but with Mane now a Bayern Munich player in this 2022 Summer. These two effervescent beings still battle out for supremacy both on and off the pitch.

The Senegalese international, Sadio Mane, made his move to England in 2016, having had a domestic league title triumph with the Austrian league side Red Bull Salzburg. He joined Southampton in the English Premier League, where he gained much recognition with his goalscoring ability and technical prowess. He then was signed by Liverpool at a time when the team was being rebuilt by Jurgen Klopp. Sadio Mane, through his time with the Reds, have won titles (in domestic and European competitions), scoring goals, leading dangerous attacks and, on top of that, winning the African Cup of Nations with Senegal earlier this year, 2022. He’s also stimulated the debate amongst top sport analysts and fans across the world on the ‘likelihood’ of another African player winning the prestigious individual award (Balon d’or) later in October this year. He has as of 22nd June 2022 officially been confirmed as a Bayern Munich player, a decision Mane said was largely determined by his beloved people of Senegal.

Mohamed Salah, Egypt’s talisman, had, for much of his career in the locker room of Chelsea, failed to make the grade due to inconsistency on the pitch and ostensibly owing to the team’s style of play. He later moved to Fiorentina and subsequently AS Roma where he was able to find his feet and confidence on the pitch. He was spotted and grafted into the ‘transition squad’ of Klopp’s Liverpool and paired alongside counterparts Sadio Mane and forward Firmino, forming a formidable trio. He had a ground-breaking season in his first spell at Liverpool, topping the goalscoring chart. Salah became fearsome with his mesmerizing skills, dangerous breaks into opposition half and thirds, providing assists and winning titles (domestic and European) with the Merseyside. Though unable to make a true mark for his national side by giving them a trophy, he has been instrumental in ensuring their presence in the World Cup 2018 after a 29-year wait and leading them to the African Cup of Nations final against Mane’s Senegal earlier this year. He may also prove a worthy contender in this year’s Balon d’or 2022 alongside immediate ‘rival’ Sadio Mane and favorite Karim Benzema who’s playing for Real Madrid and with them won this year’s UEFA Champions League final.

The pitch of play can barely suffice to establish an apparent truth on who is better (as a professional and/or leader) in settling the unending debate. Both Salah and Mane have now taken a turn to prove themselves off the pitch with their contribution towards improving the lives of their countrymen and people at large on the African continent. Most recent was the Egyptian, Mo Salah, doing wonders for the people in his village, Nagrig, by contributing bountifully (huge sums of money) towards improving the health and education sectors, which will prove beneficial to the inhabitants of his birthplace and beyond for some time to come.

Sadio Mane has also not fallen short in the act of goodwill. Through his hefty donations towards health and education in his country, he has proven beyond all reasonable doubt that he has love for his birth village of Bambali. The most recent eye-catching moment was him playing in a muddy local field on a rainy day to continue uniting his people and to create an unforgettable attachment to the people in his hometown.

For neutrals, the duo are both enjoyable to watch and have proven themselves week in, week out for the last four seasons running both on and off the pitch. Whilst we (football fans) hold our breaths, we also wait in fervent anticipation of the new footballing campaign (2022-2023) whereby this rivalry may continue, especially as both players will be appearing in opposite ends of pitches: as in Liverpool and Bayern Munich in Europe; and as in the African continental stage: Egypt and Senegal.