Sadio Mane, the prominent forward for the Senegal national team, made a resounding statement following his country’s recent triumph in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Mane declared he would rather have lost the final match than witness any actions that would bring significant shame to African football. This powerful sentiment emerged after Senegal secured their second AFCON title by defeating Morocco 1-0 on January 18, a victory notably overshadowed by considerable controversy.
The 33-year-old player, formerly of Liverpool and Bayern Munich, demonstrated remarkable leadership, integrity, and sportsmanship throughout the contentious final. Despite the high stakes, Mane was instrumental in guiding his teammates back onto the pitch after a dispute threatened to prematurely halt the game. It was his decisive actions that ensured the match continued, ultimately paving the way for Senegal to lift the coveted trophy for the second time in their history.
Interestingly, despite the historic win, Mane did not display overt jubilation during the trophy presentation. His reserved demeanor stemmed from an incident earlier in the match when the Senegalese coach had called players off the field before the final whistle. This drastic measure was taken in protest of a referee’s decision to award Morocco a penalty kick. Mane was observed standing quietly, even glancing at his phone, rather than fully participating in the celebrations.
Addressing reporters later, Mane articulated his profound disappointment regarding the events of the final against Morocco. He conveyed that the incident constituted one of the most embarrassing moments for African football, a scenario he wished to avoid at all costs as a player. “Football is something truly special; the entire world watches us and loves the game,” Mane stated emphatically. “I believe football represents an immense honor, and it is our collective responsibility to present a positive image of the sport. The referee awarded a penalty. Should we all just walk off the field? I consider that to be the worst possible scenario, especially within the context of African football as a whole. I would much prefer to lose the match than to have such incidents unfold within our beloved sport.”
Mane, now a key player for Al Nassr, once again cemented his hero status for Senegal, contributing significantly to their recent Africa Cup of Nations championship, which marked their second title in history. Beyond the victory itself, his display of sportsmanship during the final earned widespread admiration. It was Mane who proactively rushed to the dressing room to urge his teammates, who had walked off in protest, to return and complete the match.
The contentious moment occurred in the 98th minute of the game when Senegal’s coach, Pape Thiaw, attempted to withdraw his players. This happened after the referee, following a VAR review, awarded a penalty to the host nation, Morocco. The decision came after replays confirmed that defender Malick Diouf had fouled Brahim Diaz inside the penalty area. The ensuing controversy was intense, leading to heated arguments not only between players but also among coaching staff. Adding to the chaos, reports indicated clashes between Senegalese fans and security personnel on the field.
During this period of high tension, Sadio Mane’s composure and resolve were particularly notable. He, alongside former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, took on the responsibility of persuading several teammates who had entered the dressing room to re-emerge and continue playing. After a prolonged dispute lasting approximately 14 minutes, Brahim Diaz eventually stepped up to take the penalty. However, his shot was brilliantly saved by Mendy, reigniting hope for Senegal. The match subsequently progressed into two periods of extra time, where Pape Gueye ultimately scored the decisive goal, securing the historic victory for Senegal.
