AFCON: Sadio Mane’s touch of class with Mo Salah as Liverpool stars embrace after final | Football | Sport

Sadio Mane showed a touch of class to embrace Mohamed Salah almost immediately after he scored the winning penalty in the AFCON final for Senegal against Egypt. Following a goalless 90 minutes and extra-time, the match went to spot-kicks.

And after Mohanad Lasheen missed for Egypt, Mane slotted home to win it for his country – with Salah denied the opportunity to take a penalty as he was fifth on Egypt’s list.

After briefly celebrating with his team, Mane sought out his Liverpool teammate Salah, with the pair initially sharing a chat and putting their arms around each other.

They shared an embrace before Mane walked off to carry on the celebrations.

Salah later burst into tears as he was unable to prevent the emotion seeping out on a dramatic night in Cameroon.

Incredibly, Mane had missed a penalty just a seven minutes into the game, with Egypt goalkeeper Gabaski diving to his left to pull off a wonderful save.

There was nothing to choose between the two teams for the rest of the match, with the agony and ecstasy of penalties eventually deciding the encounter.

This is the first time Senegal have ever won the AFCON, and their players and fans will no doubt celebrate long into the night.

Egypt, meanwhile, were looking for a first victory since 2010, but it was not to be.

Mane and Salah will now both return to Liverpool, although it remains to be seen when they will be back in action.

Speaking after the game on BBC Sport, former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha said: “As he [Sadio Mane] walked up to take that penalty I bet all the Senegal players were excited because they know he is someone who can be trusted.

“Credit to Mane, he has developed an awful lot over the years. It is a shame for Salah that he has to go through the disappointment but that is football.”

Another City old boy in Yaya Toure added: “I think they deserved it. Senegal missed a lot of chances but the most important thing about this is to win the trophy, the rest is details. Congratulations to Mane and Senegal.

Jermaine Jenas concluded: “You can’t help but smile for Senegal and Sadio Mane for what he has done for his country today.

“He has put them on his shoulders and won it for Senegal.”