Afcon 2021: Sadio Mane ready to make sacrifices for Senegal

Liverpool and Senegal forward Sadio Mane says he is happy to make sacrifices and be more defensive if it helps the Teranga Lions at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Mane played a key role in Senegal’s 3-1 win over Equatorial Guinea in the quarter-final to book a semifinal meeting with Burkina Faso.

He created the opening goal for Famara Diedhiou and was all over the pitch to help Senegal put in their best performance of the finals so far.

“It’s my job [to be ready to play everywhere]. I have to do it because I think it’s really important for me,” the 29-year-old said after the game, as quoted by BBC Sport Africa.

“It’s important for the boys to make sure we win the game, so to win you have to do everything and make all the sacrifices necessary.”

On whether the 3-1 win against Equatorial Guinea was Senegal’s best performance yet, Mane said: “I think all the games, for me, are the best. Of course I know people always look for nice football, try to create chances and score and that’s normal,” he added.

“But as a football player you can’t expect this all the time. Doing this without winning makes no sense.”

Senegal have twice reached the Nations Cup final and lost on both occasions. In 2002 in Mali it was on penalties to Cameroon and then in 2019, they fell 1-0 to Algeria in Egypt.