RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Despite not scoring a goal, Sadio Mane emerged as a hero. Senegal unlikely to beat hosts Morocco Sunday’s African Cup of Nations final.
“We knew it was important to win this trophy today. We all knew in our hearts that we would win it because of Sadio. And to see what he did today, it’s really unbelievable,” said Lamine Camara.
Just minutes after what appeared to be a perfectly good goal for Senegal was canceled out at the other end, a controversial penalty call in favor of the home team towards the end of second-half stoppage time nearly led to the match being abandoned as furious Senegalese supporters tried to storm the field.
Stewards were scuffling with supporters on the field, and some Senegalese players were furious at comments made by the Moroccan substitute, leading to a scuffle between rival players on the sideline.
Senegal coach Pape Thiau then led his players on, suggesting the match could be called off before the penalty was awarded. Fighting continued on the other side, with long lines of police joining the stewards in blocking the Senegalese fans.
Speaking to Mane on the sideline, veteran French manager Claude Le Roy reportedly told the two-time African Player of the Year that it would be better for the team if they resumed playing.
Mane apparently agreed, allowing his teammate to return for Morocco’s penalty and allowing the match to restart after a 14-minute delay.
“We were in the locker room,” Kamara said. “He was the only one who came screaming, yelling for us to go out and finish the game. And as it turned out, he was right. We went out and listened to him, because when Sadio speaks, everyone listens. We listened to him, and in the end it worked out for us.”
Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy effortlessly saved Brahim Diaz’s weak penalty attempt with the final kick of the match.
The game then went into overtime, and in the fourth minute, Pape Gueye scored the winning goal with a fly ball to the inside of the top right corner.
“What we felt was a bit of an injustice,” Guyet said. “Earlier I thought we should have scored a goal, but the referee didn’t call VAR. Sadio told us to come back and we recovered. Edouard then made a save. We stayed focused, scored the goal and won the game.”
Senegal came close to scoring in this match, with Mane posing a constant threat to the Moroccan defense, creating chances for his teammates. It took three defenders to stop Mane early on, and even more to stop Mane’s progress before the half-time break.
It was up to Mane to lead the team again in the absence of suspended captain Kalidou Koulibaly, who missed out on a second final after losing to Algeria in the 2019 final.
Mane, 33, said this would be his last African Cup competition after scoring the winning goal in the semi-final against Egypt. He has played six times and currently has two wins. Thiau is already appealed to him to cancel the decision.
Very few fans remained in the 69,500-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium to watch Mane lift the trophy, but it was a start to the jubilation as a small group of Senegalese supporters were able to celebrate. party in dakar.
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Associated Press on Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations
