AFCON Drama! Sadio Mane Explains Decision to Prevent Senegal Walk-off

Sadio Mane has explained his decision to prevent Senegal from walking off during a chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final clash with hosts Morocco.

The final was delayed for some minutes after the Senegalese players protested referee’s decision to award Morocco a penalty. Led by head coach Pape Thiaw, Senegal’s player and coaching staff stormed off the pitch.

However, Mane remained on the field and engaged with the match officials.

After much deliberation, the Al-Nassr forward was able to call his colleagues back, allowing play to resume.

Speaking after the match, Mane told reporters of why he decided against causing further controversy and advised his team-mates to play through their frustration.

Sadio Mane gestures during the AFCON final between Morocco and Senegal (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

He said: “When they decided to go out and not play, I stayed and asked some people, ‘What do you think about this? Is it a good idea or not?’ Then I decided to go and bring everyone back to the pitch. I think it is the best thing to do.

“Because this is just football, I think the referee sometimes can make mistakes. People around the world are watching. It could be a penalty or not, but that is not the most important thing. What matters is respecting the game. It is not fair to stop a match like this.”

Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo calls for a VAR decision during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) final football match between Senegal and Morocco (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images)

Thiaw stated on the part that he played in proceedings: “I didn’t appreciate at all that I told my players to leave the field. I apologise for football. After reflection, I had them come back. Sometimes, you can react in the heat of the moment. But we accept the referee’s mistakes. We offer our apologies to football.”

Mane went on to say of an incident that generated headlines around the world: “Football is something special, the world was watching, the world loves football and I think football is a pleasure so we have to give a good image for football.

“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.

“I think it’s really bad. Football should not stop for even ten minutes but what can we do? We have to accept what we did but the good thing is that we came back and we played the game and what happened, happened.”