Former Ghana head coach, Claude Le Roy, has revealed details of his conversation with Sadio Mané after Senegalese players briefly walked off the pitch during their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final clash against Morocco on Sunday.
Le Roy, who previously coached Senegal, was seen speaking with Mané shortly after the Teranga Lions left the field in protest over a controversial penalty awarded to Morocco by referee Jacques Ndala. The incident occurred moments after Ndala disallowed a goal scored by Senegal at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Speaking on Canal Plus, Le Roy explained that Mané approached him alone on the pitch and asked what he would have done in such a situation.
“When the Senegalese team left the pitch, Sadio Mané was alone and came to ask me what I would do if I were in his place. I told him I would continue playing,” Le Roy said.
He added that he reminded Mané the match was still undecided, advice that prompted the Senegal captain to return and convince his teammates to resume the game.
Senegal eventually went on to secure the AFCON title with a hard-fought 1–0 victory, thanks to Pape Gueye’s decisive goal in first-half extra time.
