Rio Ferdinand has said Sadio Mané played a crucial role in safeguarding the reputation of African football during the dramatic final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Reflecting on the chaotic closing stages of the final between Senegal and Morocco, the former Manchester United and England defender focused on the moment when Senegalese players briefly left the pitch in protest at controversial refereeing decisions that they believed favoured the hosts.
For Ferdinand, that episode carried implications far beyond the result of a single match.
“African football was in danger. The credibility of African football was at risk the moment the Senegalese team went down that tunnel,” Ferdinand explained. He acknowledged the frustration felt by the players but stressed that the optics of such a protest, on the continent’s biggest stage, threatened to undermine how African football is viewed globally. “Whether they agreed or not, the Lions felt they had been deceived,” Ferdinand added.
Ferdinand argued that walking off the field, even temporarily, was not the right course of action in such a high-profile final.
In his assessment, the situation demanded composure rather than confrontation.
“Starting from a position like this, based on the decision that has been made, is not going to be right,” he continued, underlining the importance of restraint when the stakes are so high.
Amid the tension and uncertainty, Ferdinand singled out Senegal captain Sadio Mané as the defining figure of the moment.
According to the former defender, Mané’s leadership helped steer the situation away from lasting damage.
“Sadio Mané saved African football. Not Senegalese football, he saved African football,” Ferdinand said.
The former Manchester United centre-back described Mané’s actions as an example of responsibility and maturity, noting that the forward’s influence went beyond his performance on the pitch.
By encouraging calm and helping to bring his teammates back into the match, Mané ensured that the final was decided by football rather than disorder.
Ferdinand said the episode reinforced his admiration for the Senegal star.
“What he did here at the AFCON made me love him even more, as a man and as a footballer,” he added.
The comments highlight how moments of leadership can shape the legacy of major tournaments.
While the 2025 AFCON final will be remembered for its controversy as well as its drama, Ferdinand believes Mané’s intervention ensured that the competition — and African football as a whole — emerged with its integrity intact.
