"Senegal coach Pape Thiaw says he hoped the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco would not be Sadio Mane's last game at the tournament, insisting the former Liverpool forward could reconsider walking away from the team. His decision is no longer up to him. There is a whole people behind him, too, and they would like to see him continue, Thiaw told reporters in Rabat on the eve of the final against the host nation."
"His comments indicated that he may retire from international football altogether following the World Cup in North America in June and July, by which time he will be 34. I think he made his decision in the heat of the moment and the country does not agree, and I, as coach of the national team, do not agree at all, said Thiaw. We would like to keep him for as long as possible."
"Sunday's match will be Senegal's third final in four editions of AFCON. Sadio is an exceptional player who would have deserved to win a Ballon d'Or. Above all, he is just an incredible man, said defender Moussa Niakhate. He doesn't have a big ego. He just works hard and loves his country the fact this is his sixth AFCON shows his longevity and consistency."
Sadio Mane announced after the semifinal that he would not appear at another Africa Cup of Nations and suggested he may retire from international football after the World Cup, when he will be 34. Senegal coach Pape Thiaw urged Mane to reconsider, saying the decision is not solely Mane's and that the nation wants him to continue, adding he disagrees with a choice made in the heat of the moment. Mane scored the semifinal winner, helped Senegal win the 2022 Cup of Nations, and is a two-time African Player of the Year. Defender Moussa Niakhate praised his character and longevity. Thiaw also expressed anger at the team's reception in Rabat.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]