Pape Thiaw has appealed for Sadio Mané to continue his international career after the Senegal forward suggested that Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final could be his last appearance in the competition.
The comments came shortly after Mané addressed the media during a press conference, where he hinted that the upcoming showpiece might mark the end of his AFCON journey with the Lions of Teranga.
Within minutes, Thiaw was asked to respond, and his message was one of admiration, hope and urgency.
“Sadio Mane declared that Sunday’s final would be his last at the AFCON? The only thing I know is that we need him, Senegal needs him. He showed that again against Egypt. Let’s hope we have many more years with him. A man like Sadio Mane is a rare find. We have to make the most of it. I hope this won’t be his last final. Because there are other competitions ahead,” Thiaw said.
His words underlined just how central Mané remains to Senegal’s ambitions, not only for the final itself but also for the future of the national side.
The forward was again influential in the semi-final victory over Egypt, a performance that reinforced his reputation as the team’s talisman in the biggest moments.
Mané’s suggestion that the final could be his farewell AFCON has sparked intense debate among supporters and analysts alike.
The former Liverpool star has long been the face of Senegalese football on the continental stage, and the prospect of him stepping away from Africa’s flagship tournament has been met with disbelief in many quarters.
Thiaw’s intervention was therefore more than a casual reaction.
It was a reminder of the unique value Mané brings to the squad – not just in terms of goals or assists, but also leadership, experience and the example he sets for younger players coming through.
By stressing that “Senegal needs him,” Thiaw highlighted a reality that goes beyond the current tournament.
Senegal are entering a period where maintaining continuity at the top level will be crucial, and figures like Mané are seen as vital pillars in that transition.
The timing of the remarks is also significant. With the final looming, any suggestion of a farewell adds an extra layer of emotion and pressure.
For a squad chasing continental glory, the narrative of a possible last dance for their most celebrated player inevitably raises the stakes.
Yet Thiaw’s tone was not one of resignation.
His insistence that “there are other competitions ahead” hinted at the broader calendar facing the Lions, and at the belief within the camp that Mané’s story with the national team is far from finished.
Whether or not the forward ultimately decides to extend his AFCON career, the reaction from Thiaw captures the feeling shared across Senegal: that players of Mané’s calibre are rare, and that their impact cannot be easily replaced.
As the final approaches, the focus will inevitably return to the task at hand.
But in the background, the conversation sparked by Mané’s comments and Thiaw’s heartfelt response has already added a poignant sub-plot to what promises to be a defining night in Senegalese football history.
