Former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand, has insisted that Senegal ahead Sadio Mane saved African soccer following the conclusion of the 2025 AFCON.
Ferdinand made the assertion in his Rio Presents Podcast whereas talking on the important thing second when Senegal’s squad, incensed by the referee’s determination, marched off the pitch in opposition to Morocco in the course of the AFCON remaining.
He famous that the ‘gods’ favoured Pape Thiaw’s males after Mane informed his teammates to return to the pitch and Senegal finally gained the match 1-0.
“African soccer was in danger the second Senegal’s group went down that tunnel whether or not Senegal have been proper or flawed to suppose they have been being cheated or not.
“To stroll off the pitch primarily based on the choice that was made [by the referee] didn’t look proper.
“Mane saved African soccer, not simply Senegalese soccer. He introduced his group out of the tunnel and stated, ‘Hear, guys, win or lose, you’ve got to come back out and play the sport, African soccer calls for it.
“The gods have been on their aspect after that, after which they managed to win the sport. What Mane did on the AFCON made me completely love him,” Ferdinand stated.
