Winning AFCON is a mission possible for Senegal, says Mane
After leading the Terranga Lions to their second consecutive final at the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroun on Wednesday, influential striker, Sadio Mane, pointed his hands to the sky in appreciation to God.
The Liverpool strongman was all smiles as he approached the mixed zone at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé. “I am happy and grateful to God for seeing us this far and I believe it will be mission possible for us this time.”
In 2019, when Egypt hosted the 32nd edition of the tournament, Mane and ‘the gang’ brushed aside top oppositions on their way to the final only to lose the trophy to Algeria at Cairo Stadium.
This term, Senegal advanced into the final in Yaoundé with a 3-1 win over the Stallions of Burkina Faso on Wednesday night with Mane providing an assist and scoring the clincher for the Terranga Lions. The Senegalese took a two-goal lead before Blati Toure pulled one back for Burkina Faso.
The highly entertaining yet drama-filled encounter started with two penalties awarded by the referee and both overturned by the video assistant referee (VAR) system in the first half.
To Mane, the Terranga Lions have what is required to clinch the trophy for the first time on Sunday irrespective of whom they face in the final.
“This is a big tournament and we have to work for one another,” Mane said. “Our dream is to win the trophy for ourselves, family members, friends and more importantly, the people of Senegal.”
He continued: “We are going to the hotel to celebrate this moment. We still have a few days to plan for the final, but all I can tell you now is that we will put everything into the final on Sunday.”
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