Senegal captain Sadio Mané has paid tribute to the Senegalese people after the Teranga Lions defeated host nation Morocco to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Speaking after the final, Mané described the victory as the result of collective effort and resilience, admitting the match was far from easy.
“First of all, I would like to thank the Senegalese people. It wasn’t easy, but we did it together. I’m so happy,”Mané said.
The former Liverpool forward also appeared to signal the end of his AFCON journey, hinting that the tournament marked his final appearance at the continental showpiece.
“As I’ve already said, for me, with the Africa Cup of Nations, it’s over,” he added.
Addressing a controversial penalty incident during the final, Mané maintained a calm stance, stating he respected the referee’s decision despite his personal view.
“Regarding the penalty, I don’t think it was a penalty. But if the referee decided it was a penalty, there’s no problem,” he noted.
Mané further revealed that Senegal’s players were determined to continue the match despite tense moments, following advice from experienced figures.
“Everyone wanted to leave. I asked Claude Le Roy for his opinion, and he told me we had to play. El Hadji Diouf told me the same thing. I told the guys: whatever happens, we have to take responsibility. We’re going to play.”
Senegal’s victory over Morocco secured their AFCON 2025 crown and further cemented Mané’s legacy as one of the nation’s greatest-ever footballers after leading the country to their second AFCON title in history.
