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Senegal talisman Sadio Mane emerged with more than just the Player of the Tournament award after Sunday\u2019s Africa Cup of Nations final, earning widespread respect for persuading his aggrieved side to complete the match against Morocco.<\/strong><\/p>\n It was Mane who convinced teammates to return to the pitch in Rabat after their coach Pape Bouna Thiaw ordered them off in protest at a penalty awarded against them deep in stoppage time.<\/p>\n The decision, after the referee had consulted VAR, handed Morocco a last-gasp chance to win their first title in 50 years but was squandered by Brahim Diaz after a 14-minute delay.<\/p>\n Senegal went on to win 1-0 in extra time for a second Cup of Nations title in the last three editions, after which Mane said it was his last African championship.<\/p>\n \u201cMy last Afcon? Yes, I think I\u2019ve said it, I\u2019ll stop here,\u201d the 33-year-old told reporters. \u201cI think the next generation is ready, they\u2019ll do the job, I\u2019ll be their 12th man.\u201d<\/p>\n The two-time African Footballer of the Year looked reluctant to leave when his coach angrily stormed onto the pitch and gestured for his players to leave.<\/p>\n Amid arguing from both camps, Mane spoke to French coach Claude Le Roy, a veteran of a record nine Cup of Nations, who was pitchside working for French television.<\/p>\n \u201cSadio came to ask me what I would do in his place, and I told him quite simply, \u2018I would ask your teammates to come back\u2019,\u201d said Le Roy, who had previously coached Senegal.<\/p>\n World Cup may be Mane\u2019s final bow<\/p>\n Mane has played in six Cup of Nations with two winners\u2019 medals in 2021 \u2013 when he was also named best player \u2013 and on Sunday. He was also a runner-up in 2019.<\/p>\n In total, he has scored 11 goals in 29 finals appearances.<\/p>\n Mane is widely expected to quit international football altogether after Senegal compete in the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the U.S in June.<\/p>\n But before Sunday\u2019s final, his coach insisted Mane might stay on.<\/p>\n \u201cThe decision is not his to make,\u201d Thiaw said in a press conference. \u201cThe people want to see him continue, and I think he made a rash decision. The country doesn\u2019t agree, and as the coach, I don\u2019t agree.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n