Sadio Mane brought the curtain down on his Africa Cup of Nations career in the most fitting manner possible, lifting the trophy as Senegal captain and claiming Player of the Tournament honours for the second time.
The 33-year-old became only the third African player to win multiple AFCON titles after Senegal’s dramatic 1-0 extra-time victory over Morocco in Sunday’s final in Rabat.
Mane announced before the tournament that this would be his final AFCON appearance, and he leaves the continental stage having cemented his status as one of Africa’s greatest ever players.
His triumph in Morocco adds to the title he won in 2021 when Senegal defeated Egypt on penalties in Cameroon, with Mane scoring the decisive spot-kick in that shootout.
The former Liverpool and Bayern Munich forward joins an exclusive group of African players to have won the tournament twice, a feat achieved by very few in the competition’s 68-year history.
Mane’s performances throughout the 2025 tournament earned him the Player of the Tournament award, remarkably the second time he has claimed the honour after also winning it in 2021.
No other player has been named the best performer at multiple AFCON tournaments in the modern era, underlining Mane’s exceptional impact on the continental stage.
His role in Sunday’s final was crucial despite not finding the net himself. It was Mane who remained on the pitch during Senegal’s extraordinary 14-minute walk-off in protest at a penalty decision, and it was the captain who convinced his teammates to return and complete the match.
When play resumed, Mane won possession in midfield before helping to create Pape Gueye’s stunning extra-time winner that sealed Senegal’s second title.
The goal meant Senegal had finally scored in an AFCON final, having previously won one and lost two finals without finding the net in normal time across their three previous appearances in the showpiece.
Mane finishes his AFCON career as Senegal’s all-time leading scorer with 53 international goals in 126 appearances, a record that may stand for generations.
His continental legacy extends beyond mere statistics. Mane has been the talismanic figure in Senegal’s transformation from perennial underachievers to one of Africa’s dominant forces.
When he made his AFCON debut in 2015, Senegal had never won the tournament despite their talented squads. A decade later, they have claimed two titles in four years, with Mane at the heart of both triumphs.
The forward scored crucial goals throughout both successful campaigns, including the winning penalty in the 2021 final shootout against Egypt and vital strikes in Senegal’s run to the 2025 title.
His influence extended beyond goals, with his leadership, work rate and ability to inspire teammates proving invaluable in pressure moments.
Mane’s decision to retire from AFCON competition whilst still performing at the highest level reflects his desire to bow out on top rather than diminish his legacy.
He leaves the tournament having played in five editions, reaching the final twice and winning both, a success rate that few African players can match.
The records tell only part of the story. Mane’s impact on Senegalese football transcends numbers, inspiring a generation of young players and helping to restore pride in the national team.
His partnership with teammates like Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Edouard Mendy has created one of Africa’s most formidable international sides of recent years.
Whilst Mane will continue his international career in other competitions, his AFCON journey has reached its conclusion in the most glorious fashion imaginable.
As he lifted the trophy in Rabat on Sunday night, surrounded by celebrating teammates, Mane could reflect on a continental legacy that places him amongst the pantheon of African football greats.
Future generations will remember him not just as a prolific goalscorer and skilful winger, but as the captain who led Senegal to their greatest era and delivered the AFCON titles the nation had craved for so long.
Sadio Mane’s AFCON career:
- Tournaments played: 5 (2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2025)
- Finals reached: 3 (2019, 2021, 2025)
- Titles won: 2 (2021, 2025)
- Player of the Tournament awards: 2 (2021, 2025)
- International goals: 53 in 126 appearances
- Only the third African player to win multiple AFCON titles
