DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 25: Nampalys Mendy of Senegal reacts during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group A match between Qatar and Senegal at Al Thumama Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Leicester City man sends heartfelt message to fans after World Cup qualification
The Leicester City midfielder helped Senegal to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar in what was a repeat of the Africa Cup of Nations final against Egypt
Leicester City midfielder Nampalys Mendy has taken to social media to celebrate his nation’s qualification for this winter’s World Cup.
The Senegal international was in qualification action on Tuesday night in what was a replay of the Africa Cup of Nations final against Egypt. In what was the same as February’s final, the clash between the two sides again went down to a penalty shootout after both teams won their home leg 1-0. Mendy played 81 minutes of the second leg.
Senegal again came out as winners on penalties after Liverpool star Mo Salah missed the opening kick. Reds’ teammate Sadio Mane scored the winning penalty that will see Senegal travel to Qatar.
The day after the game, Mendy has given his reaction to the qualification on social media. “What an incredible feeling!” He wrote on Twitter alongside a picture of the team celebrating in the changing room.
“To our fans: thanks for the fantastic atmosphere yesterday, this qualification is yours! With you, we can achieve anything. #Qatar2022, here we come!”
Mendy will now return to Leicester and is expected to start the Premier League clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford. The midfielder impressed in the absence of the injured Wilfred Ndidi in the 2-1 win over Brentford before the international break.
Mendy was originally left out of Brendan Rodgers’ Premier League squad for the first part of the season. He was though added back in after the January transfer window and is likely to play a big part between now and the end of the season.
“I’m very happy to be back in the team,” he said before the win vs Brentford. “The first six months wasn’t easy for me, but that’s football. Sometimes you have to accept the decisions that are made. Now I’m back in the squad and I will try to give my best to help the team.”
