AFCON 2021: Mane desires to win AFCON title for the “most criticized coach”
Mane speaking ahead of their second straight final at AFCON says the team is going all out to win the AFCON title for coach, Aliou Cisse and the country.
Senegal reach the final of the Africa Cup of nations for the second time in a row after defeating Burkina Faso 3-1 in the semi-final. Egypt sink Cameroon 3-1 on penalties following a 0-0 draw after extra time, to face off with Senegal in the final of the tournament.
Sadio Mane speaking ahead of the clash, says the team desire to win the tournament for Aliou Cisse whom he described as the most criticized coach he has ever seen.
“I believe this man [Aliou Cisse] deserves everything because he’s the most criticized coach I’ve ever seen in my life, but he never gives up,” Mane told BBC Sport Africa.
“He trusts himself, he trusts the group. He has critics outside, but right here he is doing his job.
“Most importantly, we would like to win this for him and our country because he deserves it after everything he went through as a player for Senegal and now as the coach.
“It will be a great reward for everything he has given to his country.”
In 16 appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations, the West Africa giant are yet to win the AFCON title. However, the Teranga Lions came close to winning the title in 2002. The 45-year old was the captain of the team that lost to Cameroon in the final of AFCON 2022 on penalties.
Aliou Cisse was also the captain of the Senegal squad that reach the quarterfinals of the Korea-Japan world cup. Mane, however, believes the Teranga Lions can bring the title to Senegal finally.
“All the players know that we are very close to it now,” Mane continued. “Being close again to the trophy doesn’t matter.
“We still have to work hard to win because we’ve been in the final years ago and this time we must do everything not let it slip. We have to win.”
