Senegal captain Sadio Mané is determined to end his Africa Cup of Nations journey on a high note, declaring his desire to add another winner’s medal as he prepares for what is expected to be his final AFCON appearance.

“A final is meant to be won,” Mané said. “I will be very happy to play my last AFCON final, to enjoy it and to make my country win.”

While Mané remains Senegal’s talisman, the Teranga Lions boast a wealth of attacking options capable of deciding the final. Iliman Ndiaye, Nicolas Jackson, Habib Diallo, Ismaila Sarr and highly rated 17-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye all provide additional firepower as Senegal look to overwhelm their opponents.

However, Senegal will be forced to cope without influential captain Kalidou Koulibaly and midfielder Habib Diarra, both of whom are suspended for the showpiece. There is still plenty of experience in the squad, with goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye among the players who lifted the trophy during Senegal’s last AFCON triumph.

This will be Senegal’s fourth appearance in an AFCON final. The West Africans fell short in 2002 and 2019 before finally breaking their duck with a historic title win four years ago.

Meanwhile, head coach Thiaw, like his counterpart Regragui, knows the pain of AFCON defeat from his playing days, having been part of the Senegal squad that lost to Cameroon on penalties 24 years ago. He now has the opportunity to write his own chapter of history by potentially becoming the first coach to win both the African Nations Championship (CHAN) and the Africa Cup of Nations.