By Velile Mnyandu in Yaoundé, Cameroon
A Mo Salah and Sadio Mane 2021 African Cup of Nations final at the Olembe stadium in Yaoundé this coming Sunday? That would surely sound very interesting for the head honchos at the Confederation of African Football (CAF), to the global football fans and of course the Liverpool supporters.
But not sure about the locals in Cameroon, they have looked deadly so far in the competition, together with Senegal they are the only unbeaten teams in the AFCON tournament so far.
Following Senegal’s 3-1 victory over Equatorial Guinea in the second semi-final at the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium in Yaoundé on Sunday, Mane shared with the media in the mixed zone his conversation with Salah before the game as shown on the picture which was shared by CAF on their digital platforms.
It was taken at the tunnel just after Salah had inspired Egypt to a 2-1 hard fought victory over North African rivals Morocco and Mane was plotting the 3-1 downfall of Equatorial Guinea with the Teranga Lions.
This is a deadly pairing that has destroyed football clubs in Europe in the past few years, leading to success in the UEFA Champions League, English Premier League and globally in the Club World Cup. But they have both never tasted continental success and nothing beats that.
“He wished me good luck and I also wished him good luck in return. Because its normal in football that we support each other,” that’s all Mane could say about the picture.
Two years after losing 1-0 to Algeria at the AFCON final in Egypt, Mane is hoping that they could become the first generation of players to correct the mistakes of the past and win their maiden AFCON title. They had also lost to Cameroon at the AFCON final on penalties in 2002. Ahead of the West African showdown against Burkina Faso in the semi-finals at the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium in Yaoundé on Wednesday, Mane is in a buoyant mood.
“Of course [a] tough game, it won’t be easy but that’s why we call it the AFCON, all the games are tough and we’re looking forward to it,” he explained.
“Well, I think we won’t hide and be undercover about it, we are here to win the tournament. We are normal about it, all the teams are here to win the tournament and we are no different. If we have a chance why not, we’re gonna give a proper try to do everything possible to win it,” Mane was clear about their intention on winning the AFCON title.
