Sadio Mane underlined his enduring influence for Senegal and then offered a calm, honest reaction after being named Man of the Match in the 1-1 draw with DR Congo at AFCON 2025.
Mane had pulled Senegal level midway through the second half, reacting quickest to slot home a rebound after the Congolese goalkeeper parried an Ibrahim Mbaye effort, preserving a valuable point for the defending champions in Tangier. The forward had been central to Senegal’s best moments, drifting between the lines, creating chances for teammates and remaining a constant outlet on the left.
After receiving the Man of the Match award, Mane played down any personal glory and focused on the balance of the game. Mane also stressed that AFCON is very difficult and that no opponent can be underestimated at this level.
“One point is not too bad as our opponents DR Congo were determined and played very well. They were good and compact in defence, they did not take any unnecessary risks, so they also deserve the one point,” he said.
“We are not completely unhappy as the Afcon us always tough. It was a tough match and in this competition you cannot underrate any team.”
Senegal will play Benin in their next game on December 30th.
