The dynamic duo of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane has consistently showcased outstanding performances in recent years, owing to their remarkable journeys on European football fields with Liverpool, and their international ventures with the national teams of Egypt and Senegal, respectively.
Both players have been vying for the title of the best in Africa for years, with Salah securing the prestigious “Ballon d’Or” due to his record-breaking numbers, market value, and pivotal role in clinching major championships.
Mane, however, gained international ascendancy by leading Senegal to triumph in the Africa Cup of Nations and securing a spot in the 2022 World Cup finals at the expense of the Egyptian national team, decided through a dramatic penalty shootout.
The rivalry between the two intensifies as Mane departs the European stage for the “Russian” league in Ivory Coast, while Salah continues to shine in the English Premier League.
Looking at the age of the duo, the upcoming championship could be the last for either of them, both aged 31.
Given the nature of playing in Africa and the intensity of competition, the forthcoming tournament might script the final chapter for them unless they participate in the “Morocco 2025” edition, possibly from the substitutes’ bench.
The statements from both players ahead of the tournament brimmed with passion and anticipation for new achievements.
Mane, the hero of Senegal, acknowledged that winning the previous Cup was the best moment of his life, expressing the desire to repeat it in February.
He stated, “Winning the Africa Cup of Nations was the best title I’ve won in my life.
Winning it again would be a special and significant achievement.
Playing in this competition has been a dream since I was a child, and we will give our best.
Winning the Africa Cup of Nations will have a significant impact on our football, as we have won all other titles in other categories, which is fantastic for the country.”
Salah, on the other hand, expressed his hope to clinch the championship, affirming, “Everyone asks me the same thing; I want to win this cup, and I love winning it.”
He revealed the profound meaning playing for the Egyptian national team holds for him, stating, “I feel a great sense of pride every time I wear the national team jersey.
I am happy to play in Africa.”
Mane aims to replicate his performance in the CAN (Africa Cup of Nations) after his outstanding performance in the previous edition, scoring three goals and providing two assists.
Meanwhile, Salah seeks to reconcile with the Egyptian fans after his lackluster performance in the previous tournament, as indicated by his statistics, scoring two goals and assisting in one.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) seemed to favor Mane over Salah during the UEFA Champions League 2018-2019 season.
While Salah played in all matches of the tournament except for the return match against Barcelona in the semifinals, Mane participated in all games.
Salah scored five goals, including the final goal against Tottenham, and provided two crucial assists.
At the same time, Mane scored four goals and provided three assists.
In the English Premier League, Salah played 38 matches, scored 22 goals, and provided 10 assists, while Mane scored 22 goals but only provided two assists in 36 matches.
Mane seemed to have an edge over Salah, perhaps due to his vital role in helping his national team secure the second position in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations final against Algeria, whereas Salah exited the tournament with the Egyptian national team in the Round of 16.
Contrary to the goal-scoring prowess displayed by Liverpool during Salah and Mane’s era, their relationship was not amicable, with several disputes arising both on and off the field.
Roberto Firmino, their former teammate at Liverpool, revealed that Mane was angry with Salah during the team’s 3-0 victory over Burnley in the 2019-2020 season.
Salah chose to shoot rather than pass to Mane, leading to Mane’s frustration.
Firmino pointed out that Salah and Mane were not friends, saying, “Each of them cared about his own concerns, perhaps because of the competition between the Egyptian and Senegalese national teams.
But in general, both were extremely professional.”
A potential rematch between the two may occur, as Egypt and Senegal find themselves in Group 2, along with Cape Verde and Mozambique, and Group 3, along with Cameroon, Gambia, and Guinea, respectively.
The teams might face each other in the knockout stages of the competition.
If the match takes place, it will undoubtedly be filled with excitement and competitiveness, given the events of the previous edition.
Senegal secured the championship against Egypt in the previous CAN, and both teams qualified for the 2022 World Cup, with Senegal eliminating Egypt.
The upcoming African Cup of Nations promises to be a thrilling showdown between Salah and Mane, two football giants, as they vie for supremacy on the continental stage.
