The former Liverpool star stepped in to keep the AFCON final alive after Senegal protest’s against Morocco’s controversial late penalty
Sadio Mané played a crucial role in preventing the Africa Cup of Nations final from descending into chaos, convincing Senegal to return to the pitch after the team walked off in protest at a controversial late penalty awarded to Morocco.
The flashpoint came deep into stoppage time when Congolese referee Jean Jacques Ndala, following a VAR review, pointed to the spot after judging that Brahim Díaz had been fouled by El Hadji Malick Diouf.
The decision infuriated Senegal, who believed they had already been wronged moments earlier when Ismaila Sarr saw a goal disallowed for what was deemed a soft foul on Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi.
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw led his players toward the tunnel, raising the prospect that the final could be abandoned altogether.
While most of the squad followed, Mané took a different approach. The Senegal talisman stayed on the pitch, attempting to calm the situation as officials and players argued around him.
Mané, Senegal’s record goalscorer and one of the most respected figures in African football, then spoke with former Senegal international El Hadji Diouf before heading into the dressing room.
There, he appealed directly to his teammates, urging them to return and allow the match to be decided on the field rather than through protest.
After a delay of around 15 minutes, Senegal emerged once more and the final resumed. Morocco were given the chance to settle the match immediately. Brahim Díaz stepped up to take the penalty and attempted a Panenka, but the effort lacked conviction and was easily saved by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, pushing the final into extra time.
🗣️ Sadio Mané doesn’t hold back stressing the importance of protecting the image of the game 🇸🇳⚽ #AFCON pic.twitter.com/fpGRSESY7c
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) January 19, 2026
Calm leadership on a night of tension
With emotions still running high, Senegal regrouped in extra time and eventually secured victory, sealing the Africa Cup of Nations title.
For Mané, it marked a second AFCON triumph and came in what he had described before the final as his last appearance in the tournament.
After the match, Mané explained why he felt it was essential for Senegal to return to the pitch, regardless of how strongly they disagreed with the officiating.
“Football is something special, the world was watching, the world loves football and I think football is a pleasure so we have to give a good image for football,” Mané noted.
“I think it would be crazy to not play this game because what, the referee gave a penalty and we go out of the game? I think that would be the worst thing especially in African football. I’d rather lose than this kind of thing happen to our football.
“I think it’s really bad. Football should not stop for even ten minutes but what can we do? We have to accept that we did but the good thing is that we came back and we played the game and what happened happened.”
His second AFCON triumph in four years comes to add to a list of major trophies that includes the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup titles with Liverpool, as well as Bundesliga success with Bayern Munich. Meanwhile, his gesture on Sunday’s final has further cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players in the continent.