David GOMBE
Sadio Mane has explained on why he went against Senegal head coach, Pape Thiaw, instructions to leave the pitch due to a controversial penalty decision.
Sunday’s AFCON final in Rabat turned into chaos when hosts Morocco were awarded a late penalty in the eighth minute of stoppage time.
Senegal head coach Thiaw told his players to get off the pitch before Mane encouraged his teammates to return and finish the game.
Real Madrid attacker Brahim Diaz eventually sent his panenka penalty attempt straight at goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, and Senegal would win the AFCON title for the second time through Pape Gueye’s sensational extra-time strike.
“It would have been a shame and sad to see this kind of scenario happen,” Mane told reporters about the possibility that the game might be abandoned.
“Just imagine for a second going into the locker rooms and the football match stopping there.
“I think that would convey a negative image of our football. I think Africa today does not deserve that.
“African football has evolved in an incredible way and the proof is that it is followed all over the world.
“So, on my side, I did what I had to do. I think it would be crazy to not play this game because what, the referee gave a penalty and we go out of the game?
“I think that would be the worst thing especially in African football. I’d rather lose than this kind of thing happen to our football.”
Thiaw apologized after the game for taking the Senegal players off the field.
“After reflecting on it I made them come back (on the pitch) – you can react in the heat of the moment,” Thiaw told BeIN Sports.
“We accept the errors of the referee. We shouldn’t have done it but it’s done and now we present our apologies to football.”
Mane who clinched his second AFCON title following his 2021 success earlier revealed that this would be his final continental tournament.
