Sadio Mané Reveals Senegal Nearly Withdrew from 2026 Africa cup of Nations Final
Sadio Mané disclosed that Senegal almost forfeited the 2026 Africa Cup of nations final against Morocco, but he insisted the team continue playing rather than withdraw. Senegal ultimately won the championship, defeating Morocco 1-0.
Context of the Near Walkout
The specific circumstances leading to SenegalS consideration of a walkout remain largely undisclosed in available reports as of January 19, 2026. However,Mané’s statement indicates a significant dispute or issue arose prior to or during the final match that threatened the team’s participation. He firmly stated a preference for losing the match through competition rather than abandoning it altogether.
Senegal’s Victory in the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations
Senegal secured its first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title on February 11, 2026, defeating Morocco 1-0 in the final held at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Pape Guèye scored the winning goal in the 100th minute of extra time. This victory marked a historic moment for Senegalese football, after previous runner-up finishes in 2002 and 2019.
Source: detik.com (Indonesian language source, reporting on Sadio Mané’s statement)