Senegal forward Sadio Mané has cautioned that quality alone does not guarantee success at the Africa Cup of Nations, insisting that mental strength often proves decisive at the tournament currently underway in Morocco.
The competition is approaching its business end, with six teams already through to the quarter-finals as the final two slots remain up for grabs.
Senegal are set to face Mali in the last eight, while hosts Morocco will take on Cameroon.
Elsewhere, Egypt will play the winner of the Burkina Faso versus Ivory Coast tie, and Nigeria are awaiting the outcome of the DR Congo–Algeria encounter.
Speaking ahead of Senegal’s quarter-final clash, Mané stressed that navigating the psychological demands of the tournament is just as important as technical ability.
“The best team is not always the one that wins the Africa Cup of Nations. The mental factor plays a big role, especially in a tournament full of challenges like this one.”
Mané added that the reigning champions are focused on maintaining humility and discipline as the stakes rise.
“We will try to remain humble and grounded, and most importantly, to take each match as it comes.”
