When the Final Whistle Drew a Warrior, Le Roy Spills the Tea on Mane’s AFCON Skirmish
19 January 2026
Conversation highlights
French coach Claude Le Roy reveals the details of a key exchange with Sadio Mane as Senegal’s team withdrew from the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco.
Le Roy, who led Senegal during 1989-1992, recalls Mane asking what he would do if he were in his position in such a moment of anguish on the pitch.
Mane’s question was simple: what would I do if I were you? Le Roy replied that he would keep playing because the outcome is never guaranteed, and Mane then urged his teammates back onto the field.
The referee, Congo’s John-Jac Ndala, later awarded a late penalty to Morocco after a video review, prompting protests from Senegal’s players and staff.
After a brief pause, Mane’s side returned to the field.
Diaz stepped up for the spot kick but shot weakly down the middle, and Senegal’s goalkeeper Edouard Mendy made the save.
The drama intensified as coach Papy Thiaw pressed for the players to withdraw, then urged them to return to continue the game.
Following the resumption, Diaz’s miss and Mane’s leadership to re-enter the pitch framed a tense, dramatic finish to a high-stakes match.
Punchline: If drama paid the bills, Mane would buy the stadium by now. Punchline 2: VAR may review everything, but Mane’s swagger proves some things—like leadership—can’t be reviewed away.
