Exclusive: Liverpool’s Sadio Mane on why he’s happy to play different role for AFCON semi-finalists Senegal

Reds forward Sadio Mane is looking to make history by leading the Teranga Lions to their first ever AFCON title - Rahman Osman reports from Cameroon.
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Liverpool star">Sadio Mane will be hoping to get Senegal to the AFCON final when they take Burkina Faso at the quarter-final stage in Cameroon on Wednesday evening (7pm kick-off).

The Liverpool forward is looking to make history by leading the Teranga Lions to their first ever AFCON title after coming second two years ago in Egypt.

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Mane is the most powerful man in Senegal with the streets littered with people wearing Liverpool jerseys - from Dakar, the capital, to Banbali, his home town.

His fame can be likened to that of David Beckham at his peak, with his humility and passion shining through to the Cameroonian fans who are swelling in Yaounde Cameroon with every passing day.

Liverpool’s Senegal forward Sadio Mane controls the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations. Photo; PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP via Getty ImagesLiverpool’s Senegal forward Sadio Mane controls the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations. Photo; PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP via Getty Images
Liverpool’s Senegal forward Sadio Mane controls the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations. Photo; PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP via Getty Images

The 29-year-oldwas the architect of the come from behind win against Equatorial Guinea at the quarter-final, setting up Famara Diedhiou’s first goal.

He’s scored two goals and has an assist but says he is willing to play anywhere to ensure they continue progressing in the tournament.

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He told LiverpoolWorld: “For me as long as I’m winning then it’s fine for me but of course I know that people are looking for beautiful football and all that.

“People want footballers to always create chances and score goals but sometimes this is not always impossible and I would not like to just play well and not score goals or win a game.

“It’s my job to run around and be everywhere to try and get the team and if that means going everywhere that is my job and I’m happy to do that.”

Guinea's defender Issiaga Sylla fight for the ball wtih Senegal's forward Sadio Mane (Photo by PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP via Getty Images)Guinea's defender Issiaga Sylla fight for the ball wtih Senegal's forward Sadio Mane (Photo by PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP via Getty Images)
Guinea's defender Issiaga Sylla fight for the ball wtih Senegal's forward Sadio Mane (Photo by PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP via Getty Images)

The Teranga Lions have progressed steadily in the tournament without necessarily impressing but the AFCON semi-final should tell us how strong Mane and his teammates are as they come against a very good Burkina Faso side.

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The Liverpool star admitted they were just happy to be in the last four and the next was to rest and then go through the videos to prepare for what should be an interesting semi-final clash.

“We just have to rest and the mood is very relaxed and the boys are happy but the best thing to do now is take our time and rest and then we will look through our videos and that of the opponents to prepare and be ready for the next game,” Mane added.

Senegal have been to the AFCON final twice but have lost both, and the football-crazy country still craves elusive AFCON trophy.

The other semi-final will see Cameroon, the host nation take on Mohamed Salah’s Egypt who also had to come from a goal down to win 2-1 against Morocco.

We could yet have both Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah pitted against each other in the final, with both players looking to make history with their country before returning to Merseyside.