Fédération Camerounaise de Football (FECAFOOT) President Samuel Eto’o Fils has publicly endorsed Sadio Mané as the leading contender for the African Footballer of the Year award.
The Al Nassr forward played a key role as Senegal clinched their second Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, defeating hosts and tournament favourites Morocco on Sunday at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Mané’s leadership came to the fore during a tense moment in the final when Senegal’s players briefly walked off the pitch in protest after a late penalty was awarded to Morocco for a foul on Brahim Diaz in the penalty area.
The incident threatened to overshadow the match, but Mané intervened, urging his teammates to return to the field after an 18-minute stoppage, allowing the game to resume.
Speaking in an interview with FRANCE24, Eto’o — himself a former AFCON winner and African Player of the Year — praised Mané for his influence both on and off the pitch, noting that the Senegal captain’s actions helped protect the team’s image.
“Sadio Mané not only contributed to winning the tournament but also to saving the image of the national team, because leaving the pitch would have had very serious consequences for Senegal,” Eto’o said.
“Sadio is one of the greatest heroes of our continent, and I send him special respect for his morals and leadership qualities. I am honoured to consider him a friend, and his role in leading his teammates to victory was exceptional.
“I hope he achieves another African Footballer of the Year because what he did, especially his behaviour yesterday, is the act of a great leader,” he added.
The final was ultimately decided in extra time when Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal after Morocco’s Brahim Diaz saw his attempted panenka saved by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy.
With the triumph, Mané joins an elite group of African players to have won the AFCON title twice, further cementing his legacy in African football history.
