Ghana’s Ambassador of Sports, Emmanuel Olla Williams, has declared that no player should be considered ahead of Sadio Mane for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) African Best Footballer of the Year award, following the Senegal captain’s exemplary leadership during Sunday’s dramatic Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.

Senegal edged hosts Morocco 1–0 after extra time at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, but the final was overshadowed by controversy when Senegalese players walked off the pitch in protest after Morocco were awarded a late penalty. Mane played a decisive role in preventing a potential abandonment, convincing his teammates to return and complete the match.

Williams, popularly known as The GAS Man, said Mane’s actions transcended football, describing them as a powerful lesson in leadership, responsibility and respect for the game. He praised the Al Nassr forward for averting what could have been a damaging episode for African football on the global stage.

The controversy erupted deep into stoppage time when Congolese referee Jean Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty following a VAR review after Brahim Diaz went down under a challenge from El Hadji Malick Diouf. Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw ordered his players off the pitch, and most initially complied.

Mane, however, chose to remain on the field. After speaking with match officials, Moroccan players and senior figures around the pitch, he went to the dressing room and rallied his teammates. Around 14 minutes later, Mane led Senegal back onto the pitch, allowing the final to continue.

Explaining his decision afterward, Mane said stopping the match was not fair to the game or to Africa. He acknowledged that referees can make mistakes and stressed that respect for football was more important than any single decision, adding that he would rather lose than see African football disgraced.

When play resumed, Diaz attempted a Panenka penalty, but Edouard Mendy read it perfectly and made the save. The match went into extra time, where Pape Gueye scored a stunning 94th-minute winner to secure Senegal’s second AFCON title.

Mane was later named Player of the Tournament after registering two goals and three assists. He also created the most chances from open play (18) and reached a historic 20 AFCON goal involvements, made up of 11 goals and nine assists since detailed records began in 2010. Morocco’s Brahim Diaz finished as top scorer with five goals, while Yassine Bounou was named Best Goalkeeper.

The final was further marred by crowd trouble and earlier officiating decisions, including a disallowed Ismaila Sarr goal that angered Senegal supporters. CAF condemned the inappropriate conduct witnessed during the match and confirmed that the incident would be referred to the appropriate disciplinary bodies.

Coach Pape Thiaw later admitted he was wrong to instruct his players to leave the pitch, describing the decision as one made in the heat of the moment. Reports indicate that former Senegal star El Hadji Diouf and veteran coach Claude Le Roy also spoke with Mane on the pitch, encouraging him to ensure the match was completed.

The triumph marks Senegal’s second AFCON title, following their maiden success in 2022, where Mane also claimed Player of the Tournament honours. Morocco, meanwhile, were hoping to end a 50-year wait for a second continental crown.

Mane, Senegal’s all-time leading scorer with 53 goals from 126 caps, revealed that the tournament was intended to be his final AFCON appearance, though coach Thiaw has expressed hope that the captain will reconsider.

The next AFCON will be hosted jointly by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in 2027, the first time East Africa will stage the tournament, with CAF officially handing over the hosting flag during the closing ceremony in Rabat.