Having been crowned champions of Africa for the very first time earlier this year, Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly has revealed what he and his teammates told Sadio Mane before he took the decisive penalty that won them the tournament.
Ghana Star Speaks For The First Time Since Switch From England
On 6 February 2022, the Lions of Teranga made history as they became the 16th nation to win the Africa Cup of Nations when they defeated Egypt on penalties in the final in Cameroon.
The west Africans' triumphed after the match ended goalless in 120 minutes of play and went to penalties.
During the game, however, Senegal was awarded a penalty in the seventh minute, but Mane missed it, keeping the record African champions in the match.
Despite the miss, though, the Bayern Munich forward redeemed himself in the ensuing penalty shootout as he converted the pivotal kick that made it 4-2 and clinched the title for Aliou Cisse and his men.
Koulibaly, the first Senegalese captain to hold the AFCON title aloft, has now revealed the message he and his teammates gave Mane before the 30-year-old took the historic spot-kick.
"Before that penalty, we all went to him and told him 'don't worry, you know how to do this, you know how to do your job more than anyone else on this team. You have the nose for goals, so go and write history'," the Chelsea defender told BBC Sports Africa TV.
"I do not have any words to describe him [Mane] anymore. He is a great player, super important, and is the kind of player that any coach would want to have. He is very professional.
"I was lucky to be in the same academy with him in Metz. I have known him for a very long time now, and our relationship has never changed.
"He is humble, always serving his team and his teammates.
"We also had a great goalkeeper, Edu [Edouard Mendy], who performed well throughout the tournament, and when you have quality players like we have in Senegal, then it is easier."
English Football Club Owner Buys Stake In Hout Bay United
With the win, Senegal's redemption arch was complete having reached and lost the AFCON final in Egypt to Algeria three years prior to their triumph this year.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
Click here to register: Sign In
