Speaking to reporters in Rabat on the eve of Sunday’s final, Thiaw expressed hope that the showpiece clash would not mark Mané’s final appearance at the continental tournament. The Senegal coach stressed that the decision to retire from AFCON should not rest solely with the 33-year-old forward.
According to Thiaw, Mané’s post-match comments following Senegal’s semi-final victory over Egypt—where he scored the decisive goal—were made in the heat of the moment. The coach made it clear that neither the national team nor the Senegalese public agree with the idea of the former Liverpool star stepping aside.
Mané had suggested after the semi-final that he would not feature in another AFCON, sparking speculation that he could retire from international football entirely after the 2026 World Cup in North America, scheduled for June and July. By the time of the next AFCON in 2027, to be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, Mané would be 35.
Thiaw maintained that the team would prefer to retain Mané’s experience and leadership for as long as possible, describing him as irreplaceable both on and off the pitch.
Mané remains one of Senegal’s most decorated footballers, having played a central role in the country’s historic AFCON triumph in 2022, where he scored the winning penalty in the final shootout against Egypt. He also featured in the Senegal side that lost the 2019 final to Algeria, making Sunday’s encounter Senegal’s third AFCON final appearance in the last four editions.
Teammates have also rallied behind the forward, with defender Moussa Niakhaté praising Mané’s character, humility and dedication to the national cause. He highlighted Mané’s longevity and consistency, noting that the upcoming final would be his sixth AFCON tournament.
Away from football matters, tensions rose on Friday following Senegal’s arrival in Rabat from Tangiers, where they had been based since the start of the competition. The Senegalese Football Federation issued a statement raising serious concerns over what it described as inadequate security arrangements during the team’s arrival, claiming players and officials were exposed to potential danger.
The federation also complained about the quality of accommodation provided, the limited number of tickets allocated to Senegalese supporters, and dissatisfaction with the training pitch offered, which was reportedly located at Morocco’s base.
Thiaw echoed those concerns, stating that the situation was unacceptable and should not occur between two nations he described as “brother countries.” He warned that the large crowds present at the team’s arrival could have resulted in serious incidents.
The final will pit the top two teams in Africa, according to FIFA rankings, against each other. Morocco, buoyed by home support and still riding the momentum of their historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, are seeking their first AFCON title in 50 years.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui acknowledged the pressure on his side but emphasized the need to manage emotions in what he described as a finely balanced contest. While admitting that home support could offer a slight edge, he praised Senegal’s consistency and described the final as a positive moment for African football.
With history, pride and continental supremacy at stake, Sunday’s final promises to be a tense and closely fought encounter.