Former Liverpool player Sadio Mane announced after the semi-final that he would not represent Senegal at the next AFCON.
Senegal manager Pape Thiau hopes the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco will not be Sadio Mane’s last game in the competition, insisting the former Liverpool forward could reconsider leaving the squad.
“His decisions are no longer up to him. Behind him is the whole nation and they want to see him continue playing,” Thiau told reporters in Rabat on the eve of the final against the hosts.
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Mane, 33, said after Wednesday’s semi-final against Egypt, where he scored the winning goal, that he would no longer play in AFCON.
His comments suggest he may retire from international football completely after the World Cup in North America in June and July, by which time he will be 34.
The next Nations Cup is scheduled to be held in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in 2027, but the 2029 tournament has been moved up to 2028.
“I think he made the decision out of the heat of the moment, but the country doesn’t agree with it. As the national team coach, I also don’t agree with it at all,” Thiau said.
“We want to keep him around as long as possible.”
Mane scored the winning penalty in the penalty shootout in the 2022 final against Egypt, contributing to Senegal’s victory in the 2022 Nations Cup.
Sunday’s match will be Senegal’s third final in four AFCON competitions, as the two-time African Player of the Year also played in the team that lost to Algeria in the 2019 final.
Defender Moussa Niakate said: “Sadio is an extraordinary player who deserves to win the Ballon d’Or. Above all, he is a really great guy.”
“He doesn’t have a big ego. He just works hard and loves his country. The fact that this is his sixth AFCON shows his longevity and consistency.”
Thiau reiterates Senegal’s AFCON complaint against Morocco
Meanwhile, the Senegalese coach expressed anger at the reception his team received upon arriving in the Moroccan capital on Friday.
Since the start of the tournament, the Teranga Lions have traveled to Rabat from the northern port city of Tangier.
The Senegalese Football Federation issued a statement early Saturday morning complaining of “serious concerns” including the “lack of adequate security” upon the team’s arrival, “putting players and staff at risk”.
He also complained about the hotels provided to the delegation and the number of tickets for the final given to supporters, and said he was not satisfied with the provision of a training pitch at the Moroccan team’s home ground.
“What happened yesterday was not normal,” Thiau insisted.
“With those numbers, anything could have happened. Our players could have been in danger.
“Such things should not happen between brotherly countries.”
Morocco ready to take ‘toughest’ step against Senegal
The final will pit Africa’s top two teams according to FIFA rankings, with Morocco hoping to make the most of their home advantage to win their first AFCON title in 50 years.
But the pressure is on for the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists to lift the trophy.
“We dreamed of being here and we are doing this now, but the last step will be the most difficult,” Morocco coach Walid Reglagui said.
“Senegal are a great team and this is the third final out of four, but it’s great for African football to have two of the best teams in the final.”
“How you deal with the emotions in the moment is important. You can’t put too much pressure on yourself,” he added.
“The final is 50-50, but considering the crowd behind us it’s probably 51 percent in our favor.”
