Sadio Mane has been praised for avoiding further chaos in the Africa Cup of Nations final, with the Senegalese talisman convincing his teammates to return to the pitch after Morocco were awarded a controversial penalty.
Senegal were furious after Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndara awarded Morocco a penalty following a VAR review after Brahim Diaz went down under a challenge from El Hadji Malik Diouf in injury time.
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It was the second of two late decisions against Senegal after Ismaila Sarr had a goal disallowed for a minor foul on Morocco captain Achraf Hakimin as the Lions of Teranga walked off the pitch under head coach Papu Thio.
Senegal coach Thio calls on players to leave the pitch (Reuters)
Former Liverpool winger Mane, Senegal’s record goalscorer who said before the final it would be his last Africa Cup of Nations, remained on the pitch and returned to the Senegal dressing room after discussions with former Senegal player Hadji Diouf.
Senegal were back on the pitch after calling on their teammates – and after a delay of around 15 minutes, Brahim Diaz missed a chance to win the final for Morocco with a frustrating ‘panenka’ penalty, which was easily saved by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
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Senegal won the game in extra time, with Mane winning his second African Cup of Nations title and cementing his status as one of Africa’s all-time great players. Mane took over the captain’s armband from Kalidou Koulibaly and Idrissa Gueye and lifted the trophy in Rabat.
Mane then said he had to take action to prevent further damage to football’s “image”. Senegal could face tough sanctions over its protests, with former Morocco international Hassan Kakhloul saying “African football is failing” ahead of Mane’s move.
Mane said after the game: “Football is a very special thing. The whole world is paying attention, and the whole world loves football. I think football is a kind of fun, so we must establish a good image for football.”
Sadio Mane celebrates Africa Cup of Nations trophy (AP)
Mane celebrates his second Africa Cup of Nations title (AFP via Getty Images)
“I think it’s crazy not to play this game because the referee gave a penalty and we’re out of the game? I think that would be the worst thing, especially in African football. I’d rather lose than have this happen to our football.”
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“I think it’s really bad. Football shouldn’t even stop for ten minutes but what can we do? We have to live with what we did but the good thing is we came back and we played and what happened happened.”
Senegal coach Thio later admitted he made a mistake in sending his players off the pitch and did so “in the heat of the moment”.
Kahloul told E4: “What I like the most is that the only player in Senegal’s team is Sadio Mane. It shows what a great guy he is. He goes back into the dressing room and brings these players back. Mane is the one who brings them back.”