Sadio Mané’s Classy Message to Mo Salah After AFCON Battle – “One of the Best”

In a thrilling AFCON 2025 semifinal clash at Stadion Grand Tangier in Morocco on January 15, 2026, Senegal defeated Egypt 1-0, thanks to a decisive 78th-minute goal by Sadio Mané, propelling the Lions of Teranga into the final against an undecided opponent on January 18.[2][3]

The match marked another heartbreaking chapter for Mohamed Salah, whose dream of winning the Africa Cup of Nations—the one major trophy eluding his illustrious career—slipped away once more. Despite his efforts, Egypt was eliminated, extending Salah's wait despite his haul of nearly every other honor with Liverpool.[1][2] Salah had expressed his longing for the title, stating, “I’ve won almost every award. This is the one I’ve been waiting for.”[2]

Mané, Salah's former Liverpool teammate, has now bested him three times at the international level, including the penalty he converted to secure Senegal's 2021 AFCON triumph. Post-match, the Senegal star displayed remarkable sportsmanship with a heartfelt tribute to Egypt and Salah. “I’d like to pay tribute to Egypt, of course, as I always said, Egypt, for me, is the best-ever team in Africa and today they showed it again,” Mané said, hailing his rival as “one of the best.”[1][3]

Egypt now faces Nigeria in the third-place playoff on January 17, delaying Salah's return to Merseyside. At 35 by the next AFCON in 2027, time is running out for the Liverpool icon to claim African glory. Mané's classy words underscored the mutual respect between the two Anfield legends amid the intense rivalry.[2][3]

(Word count: 298)