Koulibaly, Mendy, Mane: Senegal's RSL spine gunning for more AFCON glory | OneFootball

On every other weekend, they are sworn enemies in search of a major prize in Saudi football: the Roshn Saudi League title.

But for the next month, they are brothers in arms as they look to bring continental silverware to their native Senegal for only the second time in the country’s history.

We talk, of course, about Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly and Sadio Mane, who play their club football for Al Ahli, Al Hilal and Al Nassr, respectively - three of the top four teams in the thick of the RSL title race this season.

Granted, they aren’t really enemies in the true sense of the word, although in the context of the RSL, the trio are split across adversarial lines.

However, their compatriot connection runs deep through their exploits with the Senegalese national team, which includes lifting together the country’s only Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) crown.

That came back at the 2021 edition, which owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, was actually played in 2022. There, in Cameroon, Mendy, Koulibaly and Mane each played a starring role as Senegal defeated Egypt on penalties to reign supreme on their home continent for the very first time.

Both Koulibaly and Mane scored in the shootout, while Mendy stood large with a huge penalty save that swung the sudden-death duel in Senegal’s favour.

Mane later laid out exactly what the triumph meant.

"It's the best day of my life and the best trophy of my life," the Al Nassr forward, then at Liverpool, said afterwards. "I won the [UEFA] Champions League and some [other] trophies, but this is the special one for me. This is more important for me.”

Four years on, a Senegal squad still led by Mane, Koulibaly and Mendy are back to do it all again as they open their 2025 AFCON Group D account in Morocco on Tuesday, against Botswana.

Given the 2021 success, and the talent-rich group headlined by the celebrated RSL threesome, Senegal enter as one of the favourites to win the tournament.

While much has changed since that famous night in Yaounde, not least where they now play their club football, so much also remains the same. Especially, undoubtedly, their importance to the national team, who have qualified also for next year’s 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Yes, they may be four years older, but such is their form at club level, you’d hardly know it. Koulibaly and Mane, with Al Hilal and Al Nassr respectively, are locked in a fierce battle at the top of the table, with just four points separating the two teams after nine rounds.

Mane’s Al Nassr, chasing a first top-flight title in seven seasons, are out in front, boasting the league’s only 100 percent record.

While Al Ahli are four points further back, in fourth, with 25 matches still to play they cannot be ruled out. And, with the second-best defensive record in the league (six goals conceded), in Mendy, they possess one of the division’s foremost goalkeepers.

Most certainly, the former Chelsea stopper represents one of the RSL’s most consistent men between the sticks across the past few seasons, with 32 clean sheets in 70 league appearances.

Added to that, Mendy landed in Morocco already on a high after last week securing his long-term future with Al Ahli, signing on for a further two seasons through until 2028.

“This club, this project, this ambition mean a lot to me,” he shared on social media. “I’m proud to be part of this family and to represent these colors. Thank you to the management, staff, my teammates and fans for the trust from day one.”

Al Hilal counterpart Koulibaly, meanwhile, was Senegal captain four years ago when they lifted the AFCON crown, and is captain again from the heart of defence. That was never really in doubt considering that his performances for Al Hilal this season have been exceptional.

Koulibaly’s leadership, both on and off the pitch, has been invaluable as the 2023-24 RSL champions remain unbeaten across all competitions this campaign.

Whether his Al Hilal can keep pace, or even catch, Mane’s Al Nassr side remains to be seen, though. The yellow half of Riyadh have set a lightning pace to start the season, with a perfect nine wins from nine games.

Mane remains a crucial cog in their attack, but the addition of Joao Felix has freed him up to share the goalscoring burden not just with the irrepressible Cristiano Ronaldo. With three goals and four assists in the RSL already this season, there’s no doubting Mane’s continued importance to Al Nassr.

The unknown is what impact the Senegal stars’ absence will have on their respective clubs as the RSL resumes this week after a month’s break for the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup.

Mane’s Al Nassr play both Al Ahli and Al Hilal during the AFCON tournament, matches that should play a decisive role in the outcome of this season’s title race. None of the trio will be available unless Senegal make a shock early exit in Morocco.

You’d imagine that, somewhere in Tangier, Mane and his RSL peers will be huddled around their phones or a TV watching those contests unfold, divided again along club lines for 90 minutes, the banter flowing back and forth.

While those club loyalties matter, for the next month there’s an even greater allegiance that takes precedent: that to their country.