"We know how to play the final," Mane said after his second-half strike saw off Egypt in the last four. I will be very happy to play my last Afcon final, to enjoy it and to make my country win." He also sent 300 Liverpool shirts to his hometown before the Anfield club's appearance in the 2018 Champions League final, which Real Madrid ultimately won 3-1. Senegal centre-back Moussa Niakhate hailed Mane as "an incredible man" in the lead-up to the final. He had an early penalty kick saved during the first half of the 2021 Afcon final but stepped up again to decide the shootout with Egypt in Yaounde.

Source: GhanaWeb January 18, 2026 13:49 UTC