Senegal talisman Sadio Mané has shed light on the dramatic moment he defied instructions from head coach Pape Thiaw during Sunday’s pulsating Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat, insisting his decision was driven by a desire to protect the image of African football.
The heated final against hosts Morocco descended into controversy deep into stoppage time when the referee awarded the Atlas Lions a late penalty, sparking furious protests from the Senegalese bench. In the heat of the moment, coach Thiaw instructed his players to leave the pitch in protest, threatening the abandonment of the match.
However, Mané intervened, urging his teammates to return to the field and see out the contest.
Speaking after Senegal’s historic triumph, the Al-Nassr forward said walking away from the match would have been damaging for the game on the continent.
“It would have been painful and shameful to see such a scenario,” Mané told reporters. “Imagine going into the dressing rooms and the match ending like that. It would send a very bad message.”
Mané emphasized that African football has grown tremendously and now commands global respect.
“African football has evolved so much. Today, it is watched and respected all over the world,” he said. “Africa does not deserve that kind of image. I felt it was my responsibility to make sure we finished the game.”
The dramatic penalty moment ultimately swung in Senegal’s favour when Morocco’s Brahim Díaz attempted an audacious panenka, only to see his effort comfortably saved by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Senegal then sealed the title in extra time through a stunning strike from Pape Gueye, securing their second AFCON crown after their maiden triumph in 2021.
Mané admitted that even defeat would have been preferable to abandoning the final.
“I would rather lose a football match than see something like that happen to our game,” he said. “Leaving the pitch because of a referee’s decision would have been the worst outcome.”
Following the final whistle, coach Thiaw publicly apologized for ordering his players off the pitch, acknowledging that his reaction was fueled by emotion.
“In the heat of the moment, I reacted badly,” Thiaw told BeIN Sports. “After thinking about it, I asked the players to come back. We accept the referee’s decisions. We shouldn’t have done it, and we apologize to football.”
The victory marked a poignant moment for Mané, who has already confirmed that this tournament was his last Africa Cup of Nations. He bows out of continental football as a two-time AFCON champion, having once again played a decisive role not only on the pitch, but also in safeguarding the spirit of the game.
