Liverpool star, Sadio Mane made the gesture, knowing his Senegalese teammates were celebrated by their clubs after winning AFCON
By Kehinde Okeowo
Senegal striker Sadio Mane has reportedly declined an offer by his Merseyside club, Liverpool, to throw a party to mark his country’s first African Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy.
The Teranga Lions beat Egypt in the final of the 33rd edition of AFCON held in Cameroon. The game had ended goalless after 120 minutes before Senegal ran out 4- 2 winners on penalties.
The UK Mirror, reported that Mane who scored the penalty which won the trophy put in a special request to The Reds not to make any reference of him and Senegal lifting the AFCON after he returned.
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His decision not to accept a victory party was also born out of respect to his teammate Mohamed Salah whose country, Egypt, was on the losing side in the final.
Mane, according to the report, believed such celebration would hurt his strike partner, whom he recently confessed entering a ‘code of silence’ agreement with over the fallout of the AFCON final.
The Liverpool winger made this gesture, despite knowing other Senegalese players were celebrated by their European clubs for winning the biggest African football honours.
Some clubs made cakes to their players, others handed them customized jerseys signed by the entire squad while Paris St. Germain gave its two Senegalese stars trophies and the chance to celebrate in front of their fans.
