Sadio Mane speaks on walk-off protest during Africa Cup of Nations final
Sadio Mane stated that Senegal would have been “crazy” to continue their walk-off protest in the closing stages of the Africa Cup of Nations final and damage African football, reports BritPanorama.
Senegal secured their second continental title on Sunday after an extraordinary final. The match in Rabat descended into chaos during the eighth minute of added time when officials awarded Morocco a penalty, moments after Senegal had a seemingly legitimate goal disallowed with the score still at zero.
Head coach Pape Thiaw led his squad off the pitch in protest, halting the game for approximately 16 minutes. Mane, who initially remained on the field, eventually joined his teammates in the changing room but later persuaded them to return and complete the match.
When Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz stepped up to take the penalty, his Panenka attempt was saved by Senegal’s goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. The match progressed to extra time, where Pape Gueye scored a stunning strike to clinch the trophy for the Teranga Lions.
After the match, Mane expressed that continuing the protest would have harmed the reputation of African football. He remarked, “It would have been a shame and sad to see this kind of scenario happen.” He further emphasized that abandoning the match would deliver a negative portrayal of their game, stating: “African football has evolved in an incredible way and the proof is that it is followed all over the world.”
Thiaw later addressed the situation, apologising for the decision to withdraw the players, noting, “After reflecting on it, I made them come back.” He acknowledged the emotional weight of the moment and accepted responsibility, saying, “We accept the errors of the referee. We shouldn’t have done it but it’s done and now we present our apologies to football.”
In contrast, Morocco’s head coach Walid Regragui criticized Thiaw’s actions, describing the incident as “shameful” and asserting that it tarnished Africa’s image. “A coach who asks his players to leave the field. What Pape did does not honour Africa,” he stated.
Senegal’s victory not only secures their status as an elite football nation on the continental stage but serves as a reminder of the passion and tensions that can erupt in high-stakes matches.
