AFCON 2025: Could This Be Sadio Mané’s last dance for Senegal?

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw says he hopes Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final against hosts Morocco will not be Sadio Mané’s last appearance at the tournament, insisting the national icon is far from finished.

Speaking in Rabat on the eve of the decider, Thiaw dismissed Mané’s suggestion that this year’s competition could be his final Afcon.

“His decision is no longer up to him,” Thiaw said. “There is an entire nation behind him, and they want to see him continue.”

Mané, 33, hinted after scoring the winner in Wednesday’s semifinal against Egypt that he would not feature at another Afcon. His remarks also suggested he may retire from international football after the 2026 World Cup in North America, when he will be 34.
The next Afcon will be staged in 2027 across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

“I think he made the comments in the heat of the moment,” Thiaw added. “The country does not agree, and as the national team coach, I do not agree at all. We want to keep him as long as possible.”

Mané, twice crowned African Player of the Year, guided Senegal to their first Afcon title in 2022, converting the decisive penalty in the final against Egypt. He also featured in the 2019 showpiece, making Sunday Senegal’s third final in four editions.

“Sadio is an exceptional player who would have deserved to win a Ballon d’Or,” defender Moussa Niakhate said. “More importantly, he is an incredible person — humble, hard‑working, and devoted to his country. Playing in six Afcon tournaments shows his consistency and longevity.”

Security tensions upon Senegal’s arrival

Thiaw also criticised the reception Senegal received on their arrival in Rabat on Friday. The team had been based in Tangier throughout the tournament.

In a statement, the Senegalese Football Federation raised “serious concerns” over what it described as inadequate security measures that placed players and staff “at risk.” It also expressed dissatisfaction with the hotel provided, the limited ticket allocation for Senegalese fans, and the decision to offer them a training pitch at Morocco’s headquarters.

“What happened yesterday was not normal,” said Thiaw. “Given the number of people there, anything could have happened. My players could have been in danger. These things shouldn’t happen between two brother countries.”

High-stakes final between Africa’s top-ranked teams

The final pits Africa’s two highest‑ranked national teams against each other. Morocco, last champions in 1976, will be under immense pressure as hosts, especially after their historic 2022 World Cup semifinal run.

“We dreamed of being here, and now we are,” Morocco coach Walid Regragui said. “But the last step is the hardest. Senegal are a great team — this is their third final in four tournaments. It’s fantastic for African football.”

Regragui added that managing the occasion would be crucial.

“The final is 50-50, but maybe 51 percent for us with the support of our fans,” he said.