{"id":21036,"date":"2026-01-20T02:33:23","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T02:33:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/20\/sadio-mane-finally-decides-to-retire-after-afcon-final-controversy\/"},"modified":"2026-01-20T02:33:23","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T02:33:23","slug":"sadio-mane-finally-decides-to-retire-after-afcon-final-controversy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/20\/sadio-mane-finally-decides-to-retire-after-afcon-final-controversy\/","title":{"rendered":"Sadio Mane finally decides to retire after AFCON final controversy"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane helped Senegal win the Africa Cup of Nations in an exciting final against hosts Morocco on Sunday.<\/h2>\n
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Former Liverpool star Sadio Mane has no plans to retire from football anytime soon (Image: )<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n
Sadio Mane wants to represent Senegal at the 2026 World Cup and has said he will retire from international football after that. The former Liverpool and Southampton star played a key role in Segenal winning the African Cup of Nations with a 1-0 victory over Morocco in an action-packed final.<\/p>\n
The 33-year-old, who plays for Al Nasr in Saudi Arabia, contributed to five points with two goals and three assists during the tournament. He was a constant presence as Senegal won the AFCON for the second time.<\/p>\n
After the final whistle, Mane told beIN Sports: “I will try to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. After that I will retire from international football. The Saudi league is very competitive and very strong. People need to know that. It is one of the best leagues in the world.”<\/p>\n
read more: Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy asks if Brahim Dias intentionally missed Panenka’s penalty in the AFCON final<\/span><\/span>read more: Sadio Mane, Senegal’s star, explains AFCON actions in resisting team protests with powerful message<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Mane showed his class throughout the tournament and played a key role in the dramatic end to normal times. Sunday’s final in Rabat descended into chaos when the hosts were awarded a penalty eight minutes into stoppage time, shortly after Senegal were denied what appeared to be a legitimate goal that fixed the score at 0-0.<\/p>\n
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Senegal manager Pape Thiau ordered his players off the pitch, but the match continued after about 16 minutes, after former Liverpool star Mane (who remained on the field for a while before heading to the changing room) persuaded his teammates to finish the game.<\/p>\n
In the end, Real Madrid forward Brahim Dias fired Panenka’s penalty straight at keeper Edouard Mendy, and Pape Gueye’s stunning extra-time victory sealed Senegal’s second AFCON crown.<\/p>\n
“It would be unfortunate and sad if such a scenario happened,” Mane told reporters about the possibility of the match being called off. Thiau apologized after the match for forcing the Senegalese players off the pitch.<\/p>\n
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Sadio Mane hopes to represent Senegal at the World Cup (Image: )<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
“After reflecting, I let them return (to the pitch). They can react to the heat of the moment,” Thiau told BeIN Sports.<\/p>\n
“We accept the referee’s mistake. We shouldn’t have done it, but it’s over and we apologize to the football community.<\/p>\n
Morocco coach Walid Leglaghi accused Thiau of orchestrating the Senegal strike protests, saying: “The image we have given to Africa is shameful. This is a coach who asks his players to leave the field.”<\/p>\n
“Papu’s actions are not honorable to Africa. Thiau was not classy. But he is a champion and can say what he wants. He stopped the fight for 10 minutes in front of the world’s attention.”<\/p>\n
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![\"Former](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36574347.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_JS393469798.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"Sadio](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36573392.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2256423590.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"content](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article33404045.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
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