Veteran French coach, Claude Le Roy, has revealed what transpired between him and Senegal star Sadio Mane during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nation final against Morocco.
The Taranga Lions triumphed over the North Africa football heavyweights in a chaotic final, held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday night.
Senegal had left the field after referee Jacques Ndala awarded a penalty kick to Morocco, minutes after disallowing a goal for the Taranga Lions.
But Mane urged his teammates to return to the pitch for the continuation of the match. Their return paid off with Pape Gueye netting the match winner after Brahim Diaz had squandered a golden penalty kick.
“When the Senegalese national team left, Sadio Mane was alone on the field. He came to me and asked me what I would have done if I were in his place? I answered, I would have continued playing.” He told Canal Plus.
“I explained to Mane that the result was not yet decided, then he went to bring his teammates back onto the field,” he explained.
Senegal has now won the African Cup of Nations twice, having previously secured the title in 2021 in Cameroon after defeating Egypt on penalties.
For the first time, Senegal has triumphed over the host nation after five previous attempts without a victory against the home team.
The Taranga Lions now hold the second-longest unbeaten run in the Africa Cup of Nations with 18 matches, after Egypt, who hold the record with 24 matches.
The Moroccan national team has been absent from the podium in the Africa Cup of Nations for 50 years, since winning the title in 1976.
