In a long interview with France Football, Sadio Mané confided in the coronation of the Teranga Lions on February 6, in the final of the 2022 African Cup of Nations (CAN) against Egypt. The pressure of the decisive penalty shootout, the expectation of a whole people, the historic objective of a nation… The Liverpool striker says it all.
There is no longer a curse on Senegal. After two failures in the final, the Teranga Lions are indeed African champions. On February 6, 2022, in the final of the 33rd CAN at the Olembé stadium in Cameroon, the Senegalese finally climbed to the roof of the continent.
Sadio Mané was there of course. Master to play the selection of Aliou Cissé, he played a decisive role in this coronation. He returned to this match separately, among other subjects, in a long interview with France Soccer.
Before capsize in happiness, the Senegalese – and in particular Sadio Mané – went through all the emotions facing the Pharaohs. In the 7th minute, the one wearing the number 10 missed a penalty. Or more exactly, Gabaski repelled Mané’s shot. The Egyptian goalkeeper, who had already sickened the Cameroonian shooters in the semi-finals, then took a serious advantage.
“17 million Senegalese were waiting for me, watching me”
The two finalists having been unable to decide after 120 minutes of play, the penalty shootout began. After four shots on each side, Senegal and Egypt were tied: three scored, one missed. Mohanad Lasheen, fifth Egyptian shooter, came forward and came up against Édouard Mendy. From then on, it was simple: if Sadio Mané scored the last shot on goal, Senegal was crowned.
” When I got there, looking at the penalty spot in the distance, I first said to myself: “How long is it going to be!” Frankly, I admit that I would have preferred to go only ten meters before shooting. But, in the end, it allowed me to calm down little by little “, he confided to France Football, a month later.
Sadio Mané continues: However, it was going through a lot in my head. I told myself that 17 million Senegalese were waiting for me, watching me. It’s heavy on the shoulders. I had no right to disappoint them. I also wondered how I was going to deceive this goalkeeper who had stopped my penalty a few minutes earlier. I absolutely had to catch up. »
“We did it, we did it, we did it Sadio! »
The Liverpool striker had shot slightly on the left side during his missed penalty. For this shot on goal, he almost opted for the right side. ” I finally changed my mind on the side at the very last moment, during my run-up. I do not really know why. On the other hand, I am convinced now that it was really the most important strike of my career “, he explains.
It was therefore again on the left side that Sadio Mané struck. But this time, the Senegalese has crossed his shot much more. And Gabaski, who had however dived on the right side, could do nothing to prevent the ball from ending up in the back of the net. In a stadium largely committed to the cause of the Teranga Lions, the African Cup of Nations was offered to them on this historic shot on goal:
” This emotion, it is grandiose. This is the first time that this has happened to me with such intensity. It was so strong that it took me a long time to realize. As if everything was stuck in my head. Seeing the ball shake the net, I had feelings that I had never known. Incredibly strong. And then, while I was still high, I remember that Idrissa “Gana” Gueye came to hug me, repeating: “We did it, we did it, we did it, Sadie!” It was like in a dream. And I really didn’t want to wake up. »
Eyes on the World Cup
At almost 30 years old, Sadio Mané measures the importance of this success for his country. For him too, this CAN 2022 will always have a special flavor: “ I have already won a Champions League and a Club World Cup in 2019, a Premier League in 2020… But there, that surpasses everything. Not an hour goes by that I don’t think about it. To the point that, when I still call friends, I can’t help but tell them: “Hey, bro, we won the CAN!” »
From now on, the African champion is looking towards his next international objective: the 2022 World Cup, for which he has very big ambitions. ” It’s my new dream. Before that, we will have to qualify but I want to believe in somewhat crazy projects and the one that consists of winning the World Cup with Senegal is one of them. “, assures Sadio Mané.
To be there in Qatar in November-December 2022, you will already have to snatch your qualification. Senegal has an appointment in the play-offs (March 25 and 29) with an old acquaintance: Egypt.