Senegal star Sadio Mane reveals his father discouraged him from football, but he overcame grief to lead his nation to AFCON glory and become an icon.
SENEGAL talisman Sadio Mane could have missed his glittering football career had he agreed with his late father’s wishes.
The 33-year-old was discouraged from playing as a child because his devout Muslim father wanted him to focus on religious studies.
Mane revealed this while speaking to a senior Confederation of African Football (CAF) official.
Despite their differing views, the two-time African Player of the Year stressed his love for his father.
He described being heartbroken as a seven-year-old when his parent died.
“When I was young my dad was always saying how proud he was of me. He was a man with a big heart. His death had a major impact on me and the rest of my family,” Mane said.
“I said to myself — now I have to do my best to help my mother. That is a hard thing to deal with when you are so young.”
He succeeded, playing for clubs in France, Austria, England, Germany and Saudi Arabia.
He helped Senegal win the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time in 2022.
After stints with Metz and Salzburg, Mane joined Southampton in 2014.
His 176-second hat-trick against Aston Villa remains the fastest in Premier League history.
After two seasons, he joined Liverpool and operated alongside Egyptian star Mohamed Salah.
The pair helped bring many trophies to Anfield including the Champions League and Premier League.
After six seasons with Liverpool, Mane spent one at Bayern Munich before joining the Saudi Pro League.
A goalless 2022 AFCON final against Egypt went to a penalty shootout.
Mane converted the decisive spot-kick that brought glory to Senegal.
Senegal failed to achieve back-to-back titles in 2024, losing on penalties to Ivory Coast.
They are drawn with Botswana, DR Congo and Benin in Group D at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
The clash with DR Congo will bring back happy memories from World Cup qualifying.
Senegal came from two goals behind to win 3-2 in Kinshasa last October.
That victory helped secure a place at the 2026 World Cup.
Mane was Senegal’s leading scorer in World Cup qualifying with five goals.
Head coach Pape Thiaw is spoilt for choice when selecting his strikers for the tournament.
Options include Mane, Nicolas Jackson, Iliman Ndiaye, Ismaila Sarr and 17-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye.
Mbaye recently became the youngest scorer for Senegal in an 8-0 rout of Kenya.
Mane scored a hat-trick in that same warm-up match against Kenya.
Many observers list Senegal among the favourites to win the 2025 AFCON.
“If they succeed, Mane is set to play a key role,” analysts note.
“We are among the favourites and accept that. I want a team that dominates,” said Coach Thiaw.
