Sadio Mane speaks out after destroying Mohamed Salah’s AFCON dream | Football | Sport
Sadio Mane scored the deciding goal for Senegal against Egypt (Image: Getty)
Former Liverpool winger Sadio Mane has praised his ex-team-mate Mohamed Salah following Egypt’s elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations. The Senegal star netted the decisive goal against Egypt, securing his country’s spot in Sunday’s final against Morocco. For Salah, attention now turns to the third-place play-off against Nigeria. The 33-year-old must now endure a lengthy wait for another opportunity to help the Pharaohs claim the trophy that has remained out of reach since their victory in Angola 16 years ago.
By the time the next tournament arrives – jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania between June and July 2027 – the Liverpool star will be 36. Speaking to BBC World Service, Mane said: “It is not easy for him – but still best of luck. He did everything to carry his team until now. Unfortunately one of us had to [lose]. I’m happy [to be] in the final.”
The pair shared a warm embrace before taking to the pitch, though the semi-final wasn’t without controversy. Salah hauled down his former team-mate to stop a counter-attack, triggering a heated exchange between both sets of substitutes.
The Egyptian escaped disciplinary action for the challenge as both he and Mane stepped in as peacemakers, working to defuse rising tensions. Mane departed Liverpool in 2022 to join Bayern Munich, before ending his torrid spell in Bavaria to join the Saudi Pro League exodus, teaming up with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Salah experienced a familiar sense of disappointment against his former Liverpool team-mate after Senegal defeated Egypt in the 2021 AFCON final. The match remained goalless after 120 minutes, with Mane missing a penalty within the first 10 minutes. However, he made amends during the penalty shootout, securing a memorable victory.
Mohamed Salah saw his AFCON hopes ended by former Liverpool team-mate Sadio Mane (Image: Getty Images)
The 4-2 win on penalties meant that Salah was denied the opportunity to take a spot-kick, with Mohamed Abdelmonem and Mohanad Lasheen also failing to score.
Salah had been instrumental for Houssam Hassan’s side during this edition of the tournament, scoring four goals, with only Brahim Diaz netting more in the race for the tournament’s golden boot.
The 33-year-old found the back of the net in each of his first four matches in the competition, and was rested for the inconsequential match against Angola in their final Group B game, following key performances against Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Egypt’s manager Hassan launched an extraordinary tirade following Egypt’s semi-final exit, stating: “Egypt does not need excuses and apologies. Egypt is great and no one will dare to win seven titles like us.
“We just needed fairness like [Senegal]. We played the day after the Senegal match, who are playing in the semi on the same field, and I’m surprised by that. By what FIFA law is what happened to the Egypt team done?”.
He went on to say: “When a team reaches the semis, do you honour it or torture it? It is expected that teams will be given a break fairly among them to see a great semi, but what happened is that the three teams got more rest.
“I told the players to ignore [the chants from the stands] and focus. I don’t want to talk about it. We are Arabs of Africa, and Egypt is great, the mother of the Arabs and the mother of Africa in terms of history and titles, and everyone is jealous!”
