Sadio Mane was given a hero's welcome by his Al-Nassr teammates following Senegal's Africa Cup of Nations success. Mane captained the Lions of Teranga to a second AFCON triumph in their history in Morocco last weekend as Senegal claimed a drama-filled 1-0 win over the tournament hosts courtesy of Pape Gueye's extra-time winner in Rabat.

The experienced South African tactician has revisited his time with Al Ahly and said the African football governing body denied him a chance to make history with the Egyptian giants. The former Mamelodi Sundowns tactician led the Red Devils to three Champions League finals but lost the third one. Now he has pointed fingers at those he said are to blame.

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.

The 2025 finalists served the continent and the world with pure footballing drama, from a controversial penalty to a protest and a late, fate-deciding goal, 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, who came close to ending their 50-year wait for another continental trophy, will live to fight another day after narrowly missing out on the title on home soil.