Senegal hopes Moroccos AFCON final wont be Senegals last with Mane

Senegal Coach Pape Thiaw Expresses Hope for Sadio Mane’s Return to AFCON

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw has expressed hope that former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane will reconsider his decision not to play at another Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament. Mane, 33, announced after the semifinal against Egypt that he would not participate in future AFCONs.

Thiaw stated that his team’s fans and the entire nation would like to see Mane continue playing for Senegal. “His decision is no longer up to him,” Thiaw said on the eve of the final against Morocco. “There is a whole people behind him, too, and they would like to see him continue.”

Mane scored the winning goal in Senegal’s 2022 AFCON victory over Egypt, helping the team win their first-ever title. He has also won the African player of the year prize twice.

Thiaw expressed disappointment with the welcome his team received upon arrival in Morocco on Friday. The Senegalese Football Federation released a statement complaining about security concerns and hotel accommodations.

Morocco coach Walid Regragui acknowledged that there is pressure on his team to win the title, but emphasized the importance of handling the emotions of the occasion. “The final is 50/50, but maybe it will be 51 percent in our favour with the crowd behind us,” he said.

Senegal and Morocco are set to face off in the AFCON final on Sunday, with Senegal seeking their third title in four editions of the tournament.

Source: Al Jazeera