Herve Renard has heaped praise on Sadio Mane for his "heroic" intervention during the chaotic Africa Cup Of Nations final against Morocco. The former Liverpool star is credited with saving the match from abandonment after refusing to leave the pitch and convincing his team-mates to return, with Renard declaring that no other player "comes close" in terms of status in the West African nation.

There are only three certainties in life: death, taxes and a dramatic Africa Cup of Nations. However, even by the tournament's extraordinary standards, the final of the 2025 edition was like nothing we've ever seen before - albeit not in a good way. In the 93rd minute of a tense but largely uneventful encounter in Rabat, Senegal had a goal from Ismaila Sarr very harshly disallowed for a perceived foul by Abdoulaye Seck on Achraf Hakimi beforehand. Just moments later, Morocco were awarded a penalty after an invention by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), who had spotted a minor tug on Brahim Diaz's shirt by El Hadji Malick Diouf.

Sadio Mane has explained his decision to prevent Senegal from walking off during a chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final clash with hosts Morocco. A number of controversial decisions incensed the Senegalese squad, with the award of a penalty following a supposed foul on Brahim Diaz leading to some players heading off the pitch. Ex-Liverpool star Mane was able to beckon them back.

Senegal and Morocco served the continent and the world with pure footballing drama in the 2025 AFCON final, from a controversial penalty to protests and a late, fate-deciding goal from Pape Gueye, which will be remembered for years to come. The Lions of Teranga, who appeared in their third final in the last four editions, withstood the storm and became the African champions once again. Morocco, though, extended their 50-year wait for another continental trophy, with Brahim Diaz guilty of missing a stoppage-time penalty that would have sealed the title for the hosts.

Sadio Mane has been urged to reverse his retirement decision ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday. Mane will captain Senegal against tournament hosts Morocco tonight as the Lions of Teranga seek to win the competition for just the second time in their history, and the ex-Liverpool man has been vital in their pursuit of glory.

Explore our soccer expert’s Senegal vs Morocco predictions, pre Sunday’s 2:00pm ET AFCON clash (1/18).