Sadio Mane has revealed he intervened during Senegal’s chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final victory, convincing head coach Pape Thiaw and the entire team to return to the pitch after they walked off in protest.
Senegal stormed off the field in the final minutes of regulation time when Morocco was awarded a controversial penalty. Mane said both the players and Thiaw had decided to withdraw from the match.
“Yes, it was I who convinced the team to return to the field,” Mane stated after the game. “The players and the coach had decided to withdraw… I told everyone to return immediately and to play no matter the cost.”
Morocco’s Brahim Díaz then missed the penalty, and Senegal went on to win 1-0 in extra time, claiming their second AFCON title.
Post-match tensions continued as Thiaw clashed with Morocco’s coach and later walked out of a press conference that was canceled due to disruptions. The dramatic final, though compelling, contrasted with Thiaw’s pre-match hope that the event would showcase African football positively.