Father of Sadio Mane’s wife Aisha Timba confirms daughter’s age & admits to traditional arranged marriage for Al-Nassr star

The Senegal international, who is preparing for Africa Cup of Nations duty, is understood to have tied the knot on January 7. There had been some uncertainty as to the age of his new bride and whether the duo were dating prior to giving their vows.

Answers to those questions have now been delivered by Timba’s father, Amadou, who has told Univers info TV of a couple that first met “more than two years ago”: “My wife and Aisha visited their (Mane's) family one day, and this is where he met her for the first time. He probably saw something special in her and his parents appreciated her as well. They came to see me. We discussed as per the tradition, agreed on everything and waited for this day to happen. They were not dating because Aisha was still young. She is 18…. It (the first time Mane saw her) was more than two years ago.”

Mr Tamba added on putting an arranged marriage in place: “With the values and all that she heard about him, she accepted voluntarily. But as parents we also guided and advised her to freely make up her mind. God did what's best for her. I knew that Sadio and all his family are very good and humble people. Sadio is just the reflection of his family. However, as a father I also needed to know more about him, his education, his faith in God, humility. And I came to know much more that he is a good person. Sadio and I talk much about the projects, but we also talk about life in general and he taught me a lot, although he is still young. He knows a lot about life, and I learnt much from him. So, that's why I didn't hesitate to accept his request to marry Aisha.”

Mr Tamba is a wealthy contractor in the construction industry and has been working with the Mane family on a number of projects since 2013. He went on to say: “There is a strong trust in our relationship. This is not about his fame or his wealth. The first thing I like about him is his good education. And now that I have given him my daughter, I would like him to take good care of her and especially to live as per the Muslim commandments, because he is a good Muslim. I would like him to help her grow, though she is doing her best, this is very important for me.”

Mane is currently playing his club football alongside five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr. He will not be turning out for them any time soon, though, as his sights are set on helping Senegal to defend the AFCON crown that they claimed back in 2022.