19.01.2026 13:30
In the Africa Cup of Nations final, Senegal reacted to the penalty decision given after a VAR review by leaving the field. However, team captain Sadio Mane convinced his teammates to return to the field by saying, "We will play like men." Mane's move allowed Senegal to re-enter the field about 10 minutes later. In a statement after the match, Mane said that leaving the game would be "madness" and would create the worst image possible for African football.
In the final hosted by Morocco, while the score was 0-0, Senegal reacted to the penalty decision given after a VAR review. As Senegalese players left the field and headed to the locker room, team captain Sadio Mane stayed on the field and intervened to convince his teammates to return.
"WE WILL PLAY LIKE MEN" WORDS EMERGED
It was reported that Mane called out to his teammates heading to the locker room, saying "We will play like men!" and that Senegal returned to the field about 10 minutes later. Mane's move stood out as the most critical turning point of the final night.
"IT WOULD BE CRAZY," HE SAID, EXPLAINING THE REASON
Speaking after the match, Sadio Mane clearly explained how he convinced his team to return to the field. Mane stated that he said it would be "crazy" to withdraw from the game, emphasizing that it would give the worst image possible to African football. The captain expressed that the team listened to him and that he took responsibility for this reason.
"THE REFEREE CAN MAKE MISTAKES" EMPHASIS
Mane also answered the question of why he did not go to the locker room with his teammates. Stating that the referee can make mistakes just like everyone else, Mane noted that judging him is not the players' job. He also highlighted the importance of completing the match by saying, "I did this for people all around the world."
SENEGAL RETURNED AND WON THE CUP
After Senegal returned to the field, the match went into extra time. In the extra period, Senegal took the lead 1-0 with a goal and won the match, achieving the championship. After the final, Mane's "captaincy" move stood out as one of the moments that directly affected the outcome of the match.