Senegal boss Aliou Cisse made a heartfelt gesture to injured star Sadio Mane after the Lions of Teranga's qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup's round of 16 stage on Tuesday.
The reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions secured a spot in the knockout stages in Qatar following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ecuador, in doing so becoming the first African nation to defeat a South American side at the tournament since 1990.
Read: Cameroon star breaks silence on forced WC exit
Senegal's World Cup campaign got off to a disappointing start, however, when star player Mane was ruled out of the competition due to a tendon injury, and the side would go on to lose their opening game against the Netherlands.
Back-to-back victories over hosts Qatar and Ecuador, though, earned the west Africans the most points they have ever accumulated at a World Cup (six), beating their previous best of five in 2002.
In a post-match interview, manager Cisse declared that their victory on Tuesday was a tribute to their sidelined No. 10.
"I would like to dedicate this victory to a man who is doing extraordinary things for the country, who is unfortunately not here today. This man is called Sadio Mane," Cisse said after the match, per Goal.
"We don't know who we're going to come up against in the round of 16, it could be England, it could be Wales, Iran, USA, anyone.
"Then that will be a new stage for us. We know that we are moving to the knockout stage, which is completely different from what we are used to playing in these types of [group] matches.
"Everyone is a good team, the best teams in the world that are competing. Therefore, we need to be prepared to come up against any side.
"It is now a win-or-lose situation, there are no second chances – if you win, you go through; if you lose, you go home.
"So, for the moment, we are just going to concentrate on resting and getting fit for the next game, it is simple as that."
Read: CHAOS: Juventus' entire board resigns amid fraud investigation
Senegal will face England in the round of 16 after the Three Lions claimed a comfortable 3-0 victory over British rivals Wales on Tuesday night.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
WATCH: SENEGALESE FANS PARADE THE STREETS OF DAKAR AFTER THEIR NATIONS' WIN OVER ECUADOR