Gabaski reveals the secret discussion between him and Salah ahead of Mane’s penalty in the AFCON final
Senegal had the opportunity to go ahead after 6 minutes, but Salah’s tip to Gabaski seems to be accurate as the 33-year old deny the Teranga Lions from taking the lead from the penalty spot.
Senegal defeated Egypt on penalties after playing a 0-0 draw in normal time. Senegal had the chance to change the score line when Egypt defender, Mohamed AbdelMonem fouled Ciss in the 18-yard box.
Mane Stepped up to take the penalty, but before the referee blow the whistle for the 29-year old Liverpool winger to take the penalty, it appears Salah was giving Gabaski some information on how to save the penalty. Mane perceiving what is going on, approach them to disrupt the discussion.
When Gabaski was quizzed on what the Egypt captain told him, he said Salah told him that Mane would play the ball to the right, while Mane interrupt the discussion by saying he would play it to the left.
Lo and behold, Mane fired a right footed shot into the bottom right corner. Gabaski without hesitating went in that direction and save the penalty.
“Salah told me: ‘Mane would shoot to the right, he is coming now because he knows what I am saying.'” “Mane said to me: ‘I will shoot on the left,’ then Salah replied ‘Let’s see.'” Gabaski told MBC Egypt
Salah and Mane are teammates at Liverpool, so they understand each other playing style to a certain degree.
Though Salah tip to Abou Gabal for Mane’s first penalty in normal time works magic, Mane scored the decisive penalty in the penalty shootout.
Gabaski predicted the position rightly, but Mane skew the shot wider to the right bottom corner. Gabaski right hand could not reach to the far right. And Senegal won the penalties 4-2.
Senegal won the AFCON glory for the first time ever in their history at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Sadio Mane and Mo Salah are expected to feature for Liverpool in the coming days. Prior to AFCON, Salah has scored 16 goals in 20 appearances and provided 9 assists in the EPL, while Mane 8 goals, one assist in 20 appearances for Liverpool in the EPL.
