Sadio Mane on Missed AFCON Penalty and Senegal’s Early Exit

Liverpool forward, Sadio Mane has opened up about his missed penalty that cost Senegal an elimination in the quarterfinals of the 2017 AFCON Games.

Eventual cup winners Cameroon, tied the Teranga Lions on a goalless score before spot-kicks separated the two following a much drawn out affair in regular to extra time.

Senegal, the side with arguably the best attack in the Gabon finals, started off on a high by topping group B.

The West African nation’s unblemished record, however, suffered a huge blow after its star forward – also Liverpool’s main front man – had his spot-kick effort saved by Indomitable Lions netminder, Joseph Fabrice Ondoa Ebogo, triggering an exit for The Teranga Lions.

Since the surprising defeat, the erstwhile playmaker has played it quiet before opening up on the subject recently.

The forward already with twelve goals for Liverpool, said his missed penalty leading to Senegal’s inevitable exit, was a bitter pill to swallow.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“To miss a penalty and see the team eliminated is not easy to accept,”[/perfectpullquote]

he laments.

However, this he sees as part of football.

“This is part of football, the most important thing is to continue to work to come back stronger and above all to be ready mentally,” said Mané.

The 24-year-old was on the scoresheet on Saturday evening in a thrilling win over Arsenal.

Featured photo: Getty Images