Mane ‘living a dream’
After years of underachievement, Sadio Mane's Senegal finally lived up to their billing as Africa's outstanding team with victory in the Cup of Nations, even if they did it the hard way in the final against Egypt.
Mane could have been the fall guy in his showdown with Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah after his seventh-minute penalty was saved at the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde.
However, after a turgid final finished 0-0 in extra time, he redeemed himself by converting the decisive spot-kick in the shoot-out which the Lions of Teranga won 4-2 before Egypt captain Salah had the chance to take his team's last shot.
"You know what made the difference when I missed the first penalty? All my teammates came up to me and said 'Who cares, we are a team, we win together and we lose together'," Mane said.
"It's the best day of my life, I think it's the most important trophy of my life," Mane said. "I'm living a dream. I can't believe it. The wait was long but finally we did it. We are all happy and proud to win this trophy."
"The Senegalese people have suffered a lot but I dedicate this trophy to Aliou Cisse. You can't begin to understand what he has brought to Senegalese football. He deserves everything," said Mane.
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