AFCON hero Mane: I’ll bow out after World Cup games

Sadio Mane wants to play in the 2026 World Cup with Senegal, then will retire from international football. The former Liverpool and Southampton star played a key role as Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 win over Morocco in an action-packed final.

The 33-year-old forward, who plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, scored twice and had three assists in the tournament.

Sunday’s final in Rabat descended into chaos when the hosts were awarded a penalty in the eighth minute of added time, just moments after Senegal had been refused what looked like a legitimate goal with the score locked at 0-0.

Fuming Senegal boss Pape Thiaw ordered his players off the pitch, and action only resumed after Mane persuaded his teammates to return.

Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz’s weak Panenka penalty effort was easy for keeper Edouard Mendy, and Senegal claimed the AFCON crown for the second time courtesy of Pape Gueye’s spectacular extra-time winner. Thiaw issued an apology for withdrawing the Senegal players from the pitch.