Senegal head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw has expressed hope that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final against Morocco will not mark the end of Sadio Mané’s career at the tournament, following comments by the star forward suggesting he may not feature in future editions.
Speaking to journalists in Rabat on Saturday, Thiaw said Mané’s importance to the national team goes beyond personal choice, insisting that the country still expects the 33-year-old to continue representing Senegal.
“His decision is no longer only his. There is an entire nation behind him that wants to see him continue,” Thiaw said on the eve of Sunday’s final.
Mané hints at AFCON farewell
Mané, Senegal’s all-time leading scorer, sparked debate after scoring the decisive goal in Wednesday’s semi-final win over Egypt, when he indicated that he would not play at another Africa Cup of Nations.
The remark has fueled speculation that the former Liverpool forward, now playing in the Middle East, could retire from international duty after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled for June and July in North America. By then, Mané will be 34.
The next AFCON tournament is set for 2027, to be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Thiaw suggested the comments were made in the heat of the moment and do not reflect the wishes of either the technical team or the Senegalese public.
“I don’t agree at all, and the country doesn’t agree either. We want to keep him for as long as possible,” the coach added.
A decorated AFCON career
Mané has been central to Senegal’s recent success on the continent. He played a decisive role in the country’s historic AFCON triumph in 2022, converting the winning penalty in the shootout victory over Egypt. He was also part of the squad that finished runners-up in 2019, losing the final to Algeria.
Sunday’s showdown against Morocco will be Senegal’s third AFCON final in four tournaments, underlining their consistency at the highest level of African football.
Defender Moussa Niakhaté paid tribute to Mané’s character and influence, describing him as a model professional.
“He is an exceptional player and an incredible man. He works hard, has no ego and loves his country. This is his sixth AFCON — that shows his longevity and consistency,” Niakhaté said.
Off-field tensions over security
Away from football matters, Senegal’s preparations were disrupted by security concerns following their arrival in Rabat on Friday. The team had been based in Tangier since the start of the tournament and travelled to the capital ahead of the final.
In a statement, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) raised “serious concerns,” citing a lack of adequate security during the team’s arrival, which it said exposed players and officials to risk. The federation also complained about the standard of accommodation, the limited number of tickets allocated to Senegalese fans, and dissatisfaction with the training facilities offered.
“What happened was not normal. With that crowd, anything could have happened,” Thiaw said.
“That type of situation should not arise between two brotherly nations.”
A heavyweight final
Sunday’s final pits the top two teams in Africa according to FIFA rankings against each other. Morocco, backed by home support, are chasing their first AFCON title in 50 years, while Senegal are aiming to reaffirm their status as the continent’s dominant force.
Morocco head coach Walid Regragui acknowledged the pressure on his side but welcomed the occasion.
“The final is always difficult. Senegal are a great team, but it’s good for African football that the two best sides are meeting,” he said.
“It’s 50–50, maybe 51 per cent in our favour because of the crowd.”
As anticipation builds, both teams face not only the challenge of lifting the trophy but also managing the intense emotion surrounding one of the most anticipated AFCON finals in recent years.
Source: Africa Publicity
