Senegal's football icon, Sadio Mane, is poised for an emotional and historic farewell as he leads the Lions of Teranga against host nation Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final this Sunday. The match in Rabat will mark Mane's last appearance in the continental tournament, and he is determined to crown his illustrious AFCON career with a second winner's medal.
A Legacy Defined by Triumph and Pressure
The 33-year-old forward, who will turn 34 in April, has been the heartbeat of the Senegalese national team for over a decade, earning more than 120 caps since his 2012 debut against the same Moroccan side. His crowning moment came in 2022 in Yaounde, where he redeemed an earlier missed penalty to score the decisive spot-kick in a shootout victory over Egypt, delivering Senegal's maiden AFCON title.
In a recent interview, Mane opened up about the immense pressure that came with representing his nation. He highlighted how the passion of Senegalese fans, who often prioritize the national team over club loyalties, created a weight of expectation that was only lifted with that 2022 triumph. "I just had to win this. It was really important," Mane admitted, reflecting on the transformative victory.
The Final Chapter and a World Cup Horizon
After scoring the winning goal in Wednesday's tense semi-final against Egypt, Mane confirmed that the final would be his AFCON swansong. "I hope to win and bring the trophy back to Dakar," declared the Al-Nassr star, who now shares a pitch with Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia. This final is seen as a potential last hurrah for a golden generation of Senegalese players, including Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Idrissa Gana Gueye, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States likely serving as their final major tournament together.
Senegal's coach, Pape Thiaw, who succeeded Aliou Cisse in late 2024, expressed hope that this would not be Mane's last final in the national shirt. "Let’s hope we have many more years with him... we need to make the most of him," Thiaw stated, acknowledging the irreplaceable quality the two-time African Footballer of the Year brings.
Passing the Torch to a New Generation
While Mane seeks to cement his legacy, the emergence of young talents like Everton's Iliman Ndiaye and PSG's Ibrahim Mbaye at this tournament suggests Senegal's attacking future is secure. Mane's announcement means he is expected to skip the next AFCON, scheduled for Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in 2026.
A victory on Sunday would not only provide a perfect send-off for a national hero but also solidify Senegal's status as a modern African football powerhouse, claiming a second title in three editions. For the boy from Casamance, it would be the ultimate conclusion to his Nations Cup story, allowing him to focus on one last World Cup challenge with the nation he inspired to greatness.
