Former Super Eagles stars Sunday Oliseh, Daniel Amokachi and Odion Ighalo have praised Sadio Mane for his key role in calming chaos during the ill tempered AFCON 2025 final between Senegal and hosts Morocco. They said his actions on the night helped save the image of African football.
The match in Rabat almost broke down when several Senegal players, encouraged by coach Pape Thiaw, walked off in protest after VAR awarded Morocco a late penalty for a tug on Brahim Diaz’s shoulder. The game was halted for about 15 minutes before Mane persuaded his teammates to return to the pitch.
Diaz later missed the penalty and Pape Gueye scored in extra time to seal Senegal’s second AFCON title. Many observers still described Mane, a former Liverpool and Bayern Munich star, as the true hero of the night for putting the spirit of the game above emotion.
On SuperSport, Ighalo said Mane “saved the face of African football” by leading his teammates back to continue the match. He added that Mane fully deserved both the Player of the Tournament award and the captain’s armband.
Oliseh, a member of IFAB who worked as a co commentator for the game, strongly condemned Senegal’s walk off while praising Mane’s calm leadership. He said Mane’s intelligence and composure showed why he is loved worldwide and should be seen as a model for young players.
Oliseh reminded viewers that referees’ decisions, including penalties, must be respected even when teams disagree. He stressed that football’s laws require players to stay on the pitch and allow the game to run its course.
Amokachi told BBC World Service that Mane went the extra mile to get his teammates back and called him a great ambassador for football. He said Mane understands what the sport represents both on and off the field.
Former Morocco international Hassan Kachloul said African and world football were “losing” until Mane intervened. He highlighted the fact that Mane was the only Senegal player who returned from the dressing room to fetch his teammates and bring them back.
Speaking to the BBC, Mane explained that he acted because the world was watching and football must project a positive image. He said it would have been “crazy” and damaging for African football if Senegal had refused to play on because of a penalty decision.
Mane added that he would rather lose a match than allow such a protest to stain the game. He admitted that the long stoppage was wrong but said the important thing is that Senegal returned, finished the match and accepted whatever outcome followed.
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