Sadio Mané Saves AFCON Final After Senegal Walkout

When an entire national team walks off during a championship final, the sport itself hangs in the balance.

That's exactly what happened at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco. Senegal's players left the pitch in the 90th minute after the referee awarded Morocco a controversial penalty following a VAR review. Led by head coach Pape Thiaw, they headed for the tunnel, furious at what they believed was an unjust call.

One man refused to follow: captain Sadio Mané.

The Liverpool legend stayed on the field as his teammates disappeared. Then he went after them. In the tunnel, he delivered a message that would change everything.

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand didn't hold back when describing what happened next. "Everything was at risk. African football was at risk the moment the Senegal team went down that tunnel," he said on his podcast.

Ferdinand acknowledged Senegal felt cheated, but the optics were damaging. "To walk off the pitch based on the decision that was made didn't look right," he explained.

That's when Mané's leadership became legendary. He convinced his entire team to return, telling them that win or lose, they had to finish the match for the sake of the game itself.

The Bright Side

What happened next felt like destiny rewarding integrity. Senegal came back out, regrouped their emotions, and went on to win the final. The tournament that nearly ended in disgrace became a triumph of character over chaos.

Ferdinand's praise was absolute. "Sadio Mané saved African football, not just Senegalese football," he said. "His actions in the heat of the moment, knowing how difficult it was to remain calm and composed, that was real leadership."

The controversy started earlier when referee Jean-Jacques Ngambo disallowed a Senegal goal for a foul in the build-up, blowing his whistle before VAR could review it. The penalty decision minutes later pushed tensions over the edge.

Ferdinand also criticized Morocco's gamesmanship throughout the tournament, particularly ball boys preventing goalkeepers from drying their hands with towels. "What right do they have to not let goalkeepers dry their hands?" he asked.

The Confederation of African Football has opened investigations into the incidents and released a statement condemning the chaos.

Mané's courage transformed a moment that could have stained the tournament forever into a story about choosing dignity when everything else falls apart.