Sadio Mane reveals Mo Salah stance after Liverpool icons clash - 'He did everything' - The Mirror

Sadio Mane scored the only goal in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final as Senegal beat Egypt, with two former Liverpool teammates going head-to-head.

Former Liverpool winger Sadio Mane has heaped praise on one-time teammate, Mohamed Salah, following his Egypt performances, despite crushing his Africa Cup of Nations dreams. The Senegal legend netted the decisive goal that secured his country's spot in Sunday's final against hosts Morocco.

For Salah, attention now turns to securing a bronze medal against Nigeria after their penalty shootout defeat against the host nation denied them a place in the continental showpiece. The 33-year-old must now wait for another opportunity to end the Pharaohs' pursuit of the trophy, which has remained out of reach for Salah and Egypt since their Angola victory 16 years ago.

The Liverpool star will be 36 when the next tournament arrives; with Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania co-hosting the competition scheduled for June and July in 2027.

Speaking to BBC World Service, Mane said: "It is not easy for him - but still best of luck. He did everything to carry his team until now. Unfortunately one of us had to [lose]. I'm happy [to be] in the final."

The pair exchanged an embrace before taking to the pitch, although the semi-final wasn't without drama, as Salah fouled his former colleague to stop a counter-attack, triggering a confrontation between both benches.

The Egyptian escaped sanction for the challenge as both he and Mane acted as mediators, attempting to calm rising tensions during the semi-final encounter. Mane departed Liverpool in 2022 for Bayern Munich, but his German adventure turned sour, prompting a switch to the Saudi Pro League where he teamed up with Cristiano Ronaldo.

For Salah, it was déjà vu as his former Anfield teammate dashed Egyptian hopes, once again, just as Senegal had done in the 2021 AFCON final.

That match finished scoreless after extra-time, with Mane squandering an early penalty before making amends in the shootout to secure a memorable triumph. The 4-2 victory from the spot meant Salah never got the chance to rescue his nation, as Mohamed Abdelmonem and Mohanad Lasheen both saw their efforts saved.

Throughout the tournament, Salah had been nothing short of exceptional for Houssam Hassan's squad, finding the net four times - only Brahim Diaz managed more in the race for top goal-scorer honours.

The 33-year-old struck in each of his opening four matches, before being given a breather in the meaningless final Group B clash with Angola, having delivered crucial goals against Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Following Egypt's semi-final elimination, manager Hassan didn't hold back in his post-match comments. He stated: "Egypt does not need excuses and apologies. Egypt is great and no one will dare to win seven titles like us.

"We just needed fairness like [Senegal]. We played the day after the Senegal match, who are playing in the semi on the same field, and I'm surprised by that. By what FIFA law is what happened to the Egypt team done?

"When a team reaches the semis, do you honour it or torture it? It is expected that teams will be given a break fairly among them to see a great semi, but what happened is that the three teams got more rest.

"I told the players to ignore [the chants from the stands] and focus. I don't want to talk about it. We are Arabs of Africa, and Egypt is great, the mother of the Arabs and the mother of Africa in terms of history and the titles, and everyone is jealous!"

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