Senegal hope Morocco final will not be Mane’s AFCON farewell

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw says he hoped the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco would not be Sadio Mane’s last game at the tournament, insisting the former Liverpool forward could reconsider walking away from the team.

“His decision is no longer up to him. There is a whole people behind him, too, and they would like to see him continue,” Thiaw told reporters in Rabat on the eve of the final against the host nation.

Mane, 33, said after Wednesday’s semifinal against Egypt, in which he scored the winner, that he would not play at another AFCON.

His comments indicated that he may retire from international football altogether following the World Cup in North America in June and July, by which time he will be 34.

The next Cup of Nations is due to take place in 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, while the 2029 edition is being brought forward to 2028.

“I think he made his decision in the heat of the moment and the country does not agree, and I, as coach of the national team, do not agree at all,” said Thiaw.

“We would like to keep him for as long as possible.”

Mane helped Senegal win the Cup of Nations for the first time in their history in 2022, scoring the winning penalty in the shootout in the final against Egypt.

The two-time winner of the African player of the year prize also played in the side that lost the 2019 final to Algeria – Sunday’s match will be Senegal’s third final in four editions of AFCON.

“Sadio is an exceptional player who would have deserved to win a Ballon d’Or. Above all, he is just an incredible man,” said defender Moussa Niakhate.

“He doesn’t have a big ego. He just works hard and loves his country – the fact this is his sixth AFCON shows his longevity and consistency.”

Thiaw reiterates Senegal’s AFCON complaint against Morocco

Meanwhile, the Senegal coach expressed anger at the welcome his team received on arriving in the Moroccan capital on Friday.

The Lions of Teranga travelled to Rabat, having been based in the northern port city of Tangiers since the start of the competition.

The Senegalese Football Federation released a statement early on Saturday complaining about “serious concerns” including a “lack of adequate security” for the team’s arrival “which put the players and staff at risk”.

It also complained about the hotel offered to the delegation, about the number of tickets given to their supporters for the final, and said they were not happy at being offered a training pitch at the Moroccan team’s base.

“What happened yesterday was not normal,” insisted Thiaw.

“Given the number there, anything could have happened. My players could have been in danger.

“That type of thing should not happen between two brother countries.”

Morocco ready for ‘hardest’ step against Senegal

The final brings together the top two teams in Africa according to the FIFA rankings, with Morocco hoping to make the most of home advantage to take the AFCON title for the first time in 50 years.

There is, however, enormous pressure on the 2022 World Cup semifinalists to take the trophy.

“We dreamt of being here and now we are, but the last step will be the hardest one,” said Morocco coach Walid Regragui.

“Senegal are a great side and this is their third final out of four, but it is great for African football to have a final between the two best teams.”

He added: “How we handle the emotion of the occasion will be important. We can’t put too much pressure on ourselves.