‘The best day of my life’ - Sadio Mane savours AFCON triumph with Senegal

Sadio Mane has expressed his delight at winning the Africa Cup of Nations, saying: “It’s the best day of my life and the best trophy of my life.” Senegal made history by winning AFCON for the first time on Sunday evening, having been beaten in two previous finals in 2002 and 2019. Mane featured in the latter defeat, when the Lions of Teranga lost 1-0 to Algeria in Cairo. Ad/> They had more luck this time round, beating Egypt on penalties at the Olembe Stadium.

After having a spot kick saved by Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal early on before going on to score the winning penalty in a climactic shoot-out, Mane admitted that he was overwhelmed by a mixture of relief and delight after the match. Africa Cup of NationsOkocha: Mane risked his life taking that penalty10 HOURS AGO “It’s the best day of my life and the best trophy of my life,” he said. “I won the Champions League and some [other] trophies but this is the special one for me.

“This is more important for me. I am happy for myself, my people and all of my family.” Asked how he felt after failing to convert from the spot when Saliou Ciss was brought down by Mohamed Abdelmonem in the box with only four minutes on the clock, Mane said: “When I missed the first penalty, it was a big blow for me. “But my teammates came to me and said: ‘Sadio, we lose together and we win together.

We know you. You have done too much for us, keep on going.’ “That made me stronger and I think it made the difference when I got the second one. “All the boys came to me and said ‘Sadio, we trust you’ and that gave me more motivation.