Sadio Mane reveals what Senegal team told him after first penalty miss

Mane revealed the team’s reaction to his first penalty miss in the final and what the Africa Cup of Nations title means to him.

Sadio Mane has paid tribute to the togetherness inside the Senegal squad, claiming it ‘made the difference’ during Sunday’s AFCON final against Egypt.

The 29-year-old netted the winning spot-kick to hand the West Africans a 4-2 shootout win over Egypt and a first AFCON title, after finishing 0-0 at the end of extra time.

It served as the perfect redemption for Mane’s earlier miss in the seventh minute of the final, when Egypt keeper Gabaski dived the right way to punch the star’s first penalty attempt clear.

#TeamSenegal

I Spoke to Sadio Mane briefly at the mixed zone.

He says the #AFCON2021 trophy is the “most IMPORTANT trophy in his career.” #AFCONwithJuliet #3Sports pic.twitter.com/UP4rwLngDt

— Juliet Bawuah (@julietbawuah) February 7, 2022

‘The big difference today was my teammates’

Speaking to journalist Juliet Bawuah after the final, however, Mane revealed how his teammates supported him after his early miss and gave him the strength to score his second penalty later on in the shootout.

“I was not happy, because most of the time I score a penalty,” he said on his first penalty miss. “But I think the big difference today was my teammates.

“After missing the penalty, everyone came to me in the dressing room and said ‘Sadio, we don’t care what happened. We lose together, we win together. We push again and we’re gonna make it.’

“When I was going to take the second penalty, they all came to me and said: ‘We trust you, go do it.’ I think that made the difference and was Senegal’s strength. It gave me more motivation to shoot and score, and I did it.”

‘It is the best day of my life’

The Liverpool forward has enjoyed a prestigious club career, winning major honors such as the Premier League and Champions League.

But winning his first AFCON title with Senegal was a special experience.

“It is not only the most important trophy [in my career], but it is the best day of my life,” Mane said. “Of course, so far, the greatest trophy of my life and I can’t express my feelings today. I’m very happy.”

Mane then dedicated the trophy to Senegal manager Aliou Cisse, adding: “I give it to Cisse. For me, this man is something else.”