Sadio Mané became AFCON’s all-time assist leader on January 18, 2026, as Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 in extra time to win their second AFCON title.
The 33-year-old captain surpassed Yaya Touré’s previous record of seven assists, finishing with nine career assists across six AFCON tournaments. Mané also received his second Player of the Tournament award, having previously won the honor when Senegal claimed their first AFCON title in 2021/2022.
Mané contributed two goals and three assists at AFCON 2025. He scored the 78th-minute winner in the semi-final against Egypt to send Senegal to the final, eliminating his former Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah. The Bayern Munich forward became the first player since AFCON OPTA records began in 2010 to reach 20 career goal contributions at the tournament, with 11 goals and nine assists. His 11 goals place him joint-fifth on AFCON’s all-time scoring list.
Mané created 18 chances from open play during the tournament, the most of any player. He was awarded the Golden Ball ahead of Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Senegal teammate Pape Gueye.
The captain equaled Kolo Touré’s record of 28 AFCON starts, spanning tournaments from 2015 to 2025. He remains Senegal’s all-time leading scorer with 53 goals in 126 appearances.
During the final, Mané played a crucial role when Senegal’s players walked off the pitch to protest a penalty awarded to Morocco. The captain remained on the field and convinced his teammates to return, preventing a potential match abandonment.
“That moment defined Sadio’s leadership,” said Idrissa Gana Gueye, who captained the side in the final due to Kalidou Koulibaly’s suspension.
“He kept his composure when emotions were running high and reminded us what we were fighting for.”
Seven players won both the 2021/2022 and 2025 AFCON titles for Senegal. Four players—Mané, Gueye, Koulibaly, and Ismaïla Sarr—have featured in each of Senegal’s last seven major tournaments. Goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, who saved penalties in both AFCON finals, and midfielder Pape Gueye, who scored the winning goal in the 2025 final, complete the group of double winners.
After the match, Mané suggested he may retire from AFCON competition, stating, “As far as the AFCON is concerned, for me, it’s over.”
His AFCON achievements include two titles (2021/2022, 2025), two Player of the Tournament awards, the all-time assist record with nine assists, 20 goal contributions since 2010, joint-fifth place among all-time scorers with 11 goals, and 28 starts tied for the tournament record.
Pape Gueye scored the winning goal in extra time as Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 in the AFCON 2025 final.
