SOCCER: Mane leaves Cup of Nations stage at the top

RABAT — Senegal star Sadio Mane left Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final with more than just the Player of the Tournament award. He earned widespread respect for persuading his upset teammates to continue playing against Morocco after a late controversial penalty decision.

The incident occurred deep into stoppage time when Senegal’s coach, Pape Bouna Thiaw, ordered his players off the field in protest against the penalty. The referee had awarded the penalty after consulting VAR, giving Morocco a last-minute chance to claim their first title in 50 years.

After a 14-minute delay, Morocco’s Brahim Diaz missed the opportunity, and Senegal later secured a 1-0 victory in extra time — marking their second AFCON title in the last three editions.

Following the win, Mane confirmed that this would be his final Africa Cup of Nations.

“My last AFCON? Yes, I think I’ve said it. I’ll stop here,” the 33-year-old told reporters. “I think the next generation is ready. They’ll do the job. I’ll be their 12th man.”

Mane’s leadership was clear as he stepped forward during the chaos. While Thiaw angrily stormed onto the pitch and signaled for the team to leave, Mane appeared hesitant to follow.

During the argument, Mane approached French coach Claude Le Roy — a veteran of nine AFCON tournaments — who was covering the match for French television.

“Sadio came to ask me what I would do in his place,” Le Roy said. “I told him quite simply, ‘I would ask your teammates to come back.’” Le Roy had previously coached Senegal.

World Cup Likely to Be Mane’s Final Stage

Mane has played in six AFCON tournaments, winning the title twice — in 2021, when he was also named the tournament’s best player, and again on Sunday. He also finished as runner-up in 2019.

Across his AFCON career, Mane has scored 11 goals in 29 matches.

He is widely expected to retire from international football after Senegal’s participation in the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States this June.

However, before Sunday’s final, coach Thiaw suggested Mane might still continue.

“The decision is not his to make,” Thiaw said. “The people want to see him continue, and I think he made a rash decision. The country doesn’t agree, and as the coach, I don’t agree.”

-Writing by Mark Gleeson in Rabat; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne/Reuters