Senegal football icon Sadio Mane capped his final Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) appearance on Jan 18 with a stirring 1-0 victory over Morocco and an emotional post-match celebration with his wife Aisha Tamba and their young daughter.
The 33-year-old, who was instrumental both on and off the field, was named Player of the Tournament as Senegal lifted the AFCON trophy for the second time in four years.
Mane’s final AFCON outing was marked by drama and dignity. When Senegal’s coach, Pape Thiaw, led players off the pitch in protest over a late penalty awarded to Morocco during stoppage time, it was Mane who urged calm and convinced his teammates to resume the match.
Morocco’s Brahim Diaz saw his Panenka-style penalty saved, sending the match into extra time. Midfielder Pape Gueye then scored a stunning winner for Senegal.
Reflecting on the moment, Mane said: “Football is something special. I’d rather lose than let this kind of thing happen to African football. The world watches us; we must show the best of our game.”
After the final whistle, Mane was reunited with Tamba and their daughter in the locker room – a poignant moment that he later described as even more special than his first AFCON win in 2022.
“In 2021, I had no wife or child… In 2026, I celebrated with my wife and child. It’s even more special,” he told WIW Sport.
Mane married Tamba, now 20, in January 2024 in a private ceremony in Dakar. Their relationship had remained out of the spotlight until their wedding. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in March 2025.
Despite the jubilant scenes, Mane confirmed that this AFCON would be his last, stating he would retire from international football after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
His announcement has sparked an emotional plea from Coach Thiaw, who said: “We are not in agreement. He represents Africa. His humility, his leadership – we need such people.”
