Sadio Mane recently guided Senegal to their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations 2022 after winning the finals against Egypt on penalties.
The match finished with a 0-0 scoreline even after 120 minutes of extra time. So it was always going to get decided on penalty shootout. Mane dispatched the decisive penalty to create history for the Lions of Teranga.
After the match, Mohamed Salah and his fellow Egyptian were obviously in agony. But Mane showed a great gesture and consoled his Liverpool teammate and it was a great sight to behold.
Mane revealed what he told Salah as the Egyptian was dejected after losing the finals despite coming so close to winning the tournament. Senegal’s main man upfront revealed beIN Sports what he said after the game, “I told him that he remains a very great player and it’s a pleasure to play for the same club. I have so much respect for him and he gave everything for his country. Unfortunately, he didn’t win, but that doesn’t mean it’s over for him.”
The 29-year-old motivated Salah and told him that Egypt can win the AFCON next year as they have a young team.
“I also told him that he still has many things to win, including the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. They have a young team so maybe they will win it one day,” Mane added.
Mane ended the tournament being the AFCON Player of the Tournament. But now they will shift their focus back to club football as they return to Merseyside donning Liverpool’s red jersey again.
Mane’s words of wisdom for his Salah after the game was decided speaks a lot about their connection as players and also as comrades playing for the same club, Liverpool.
The Reds are back in the Premier League race after Manchester City dropped points against Southampton. Now Liverpool are nine points away from the Citizens at the summit with a game in hand. The Liverpool fans will need their main players in Mane and Salah to perform at their best for the Reds to fight for the Premier League and also do well in the Champions League.
While Mane will be joining Merseyside carrying great form from the AFCON whereas Salah is already the top goalscorer in the Premier League having already scored 16 goals and nine assists in 20 games this season.
Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp will need two of his most experienced players to god good to end this season on a high for the Reds.
