Senegal forward Sadio Mane has explained his role in defusing a tense walkout by his teammates during the AFCON 2025 final against Morocco on Sunday night.
The match was paused late in normal time after a controversial penalty was awarded to Morocco, prompting the entire Senegalese team to leave the pitch in protest.
Mane was seen on camera urging his teammates to return, a move that allowed the game to continue. Senegal eventually won 1-0 in extra time.
In a post-match interview, Mane said he asked for opinions before deciding to call the players back, emphasizing fairness to the global audience and respect for the game.
“People in the world can judge this… but it is not fair to stop a game like this,” he stated, highlighting his leadership during a moment of high tension.
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Disclaimer:
This report is based on post-match interviews and event coverage. Statements reflect the player’s personal perspective.
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