SADIO MANE once again demonstrated that he was a man of the people by participating in charity matches in his hometown.

Sadio Mane of Bayern Munich returned to his hometown of Bambali, Senegal, for a community football match alongside Senegalese legend El Hadji Diouf.

Prior to the community game, Mane had been on international duty with Senegal in preparation for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The Munich star organized the match in Bambali, which included two-time African Footballer of the Year Diouf, former Senegal defender Papiss Demba Cisse, and Senegalese striker Mbaye Diagne.

The friendly game in Bambali was muddy and wet in front of a large Senegalese crowd.

On the day, Mane played for both teams, switching from No. 10 for the blue team to No. 2 for the red team.

It was not the African Footballer of the Year’s first attempt to connect with his community.

Mane spent more than £450,000 in 2021 to assist in the construction of a hospital in Bambali, as well as funding school construction projects.

A new Bambali pitch

Despite his enjoyment of the rain and the conditions it provided upon his return, he now has a new pitch on his schedule.

I replayed on this historic ground with great pleasure. I really liked playing again in the rain, on the Bambali pitch. My former childhood teammates requested it,” Mane told wiwsport.

“Back to the source with a gala match at Bambaly ground where it all began!!!”, Mane wrote later on his Instagram page.

A big thank you to my brothers, Diouf, Cisse, Desire Segbe Azankpo and not forgetting my forever idol, sacred Diagne.”

“They [Mane’s friends] told me it’s time to change the pitch. I am going to start the work and in 5 to 6 months the stadium will have a synthetic turf. I hope that my partners will accompany me.

Everything I do is for Senegal. Certainly, it is in Bambali, but we always have to start somewhere,” Mane stated.