Senegal winger Sadio Mane became one of the key players who decided the fate of the match in the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco (1:0) not only on the field, but also off the field. Being able to concentrate the team in the sharp and nerve-wracking moments of the final also means a lot - this is precisely what Mane demonstrated.
After a controversial penalty was awarded against Senegal during the match, team head coach Pap Thiav strongly protested the referee's decision and decided to remove his players from the field. At that time, the situation was on the verge of a "explosion": the final, the pressure, the seemingly unfair decision - everything was concentrated at one point.
At this unfavorable moment, Sadio Mane took the initiative. The national team leader addressed his teammates emotionally, urging them to remain calm and, most importantly, persuading them to return to the game. According to Foot Mercato, Mané made a short but very sharp statement at the time:
We'll play like men!
These words were a signal for the Senegalese: the team returned to the field, continued the final. And in that penalty, Moroccan player Braim Diaz failed to convert the 11-meter shot. He chose the "panenka" style, but the ball went straight into the hands of goalkeeper Eduard Mendy. For a moment - and the spirit of the game changed completely.
After that, Senegal played even more confidently. Luck was also on their side in extra time: Papa Gueye's accurate shot put an end to the final and brought victory to Senegal.
This result is especially significant for the Senegal national team: the team won the African Championship title for the second time in its history. This final will be remembered for a long time not only for the goal, but also for the strength of spirit, character, and one word as one of the most emotional matches in the history of the competition.
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