Africa Cup of Nations 2025: Final referees' words to Sadio Mané

The hero of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, Sadio Mané, received congratulatory words from the match referees.

We all witnessed on Sunday evening that, if not for Sadio Mané’s intervention, Senegal might never have finished the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final against Morocco. To recap, when a penalty was awarded to Morocco, the Lions of Teranga left the pitch and headed to the dressing room, refusing to continue the match. In the end, it was Sadio Mané who brought everyone back. The referees did not forget this gesture.

In footage aired by beIN Sports on Thursday, the match officials could be seen approaching the Senegalese star to thank him. “You were the only one who told the others to come back,” said Paul Abongile, the fourth official that night, congratulating him. “I said he was the only one who acted! The only one!” he reiterated during the ceremony. “How did you do that? You are a true leader!” said Jean-Jacques Ndala, the main referee, followed by his VAR assistant: “That was incredible, thank you so much. As I told you last time, thank you for what you did.”

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.