Claude Leroy reveals what he said to Sadio Mané during the interruption of the CAN final

CAN Final: Senegal Crowned Champions After Extra Time as Mané Steers Calm, Collective Comeback

In Rabat on Sunday, January 18, 2026, Senegal clinched the Africa Cup of Nations title with a 1-0 victory over Morocco after extra time, with Sadio Mané lifting the trophy as captain and focal point. The final delivered a tense, edge-of-seat finish that underscored the Lions of teranga’s resilience and enduring presence at the continent’s top stage.

The match was shaped by a controversial moment near the end of regulation when a Moroccan penalty decision sparked protests from the Senegal bench and supporters. The Senegalese players briefly left the pitch in anger, prompting a noted exchange on the sideline between former coach Claude Leroy and Mané as the team weighed how to finish the game. Leroy later described advising mané to rally his teammates and complete the contest, emphasizing that the result could still be decided on the field rather than by a stoppage or a tense dispute.

Mané, whose consistency over the tournament drew widespread praise, emerged again as the pivotal figure for Senegal.The standout forward was named man of the tournament,a testament to his leadership,composure,and high-level performances across the month-long competition. By guiding his team back onto the field and maintaining focus through 120 minutes, Mané helped Senegal secure a third CAN final appearance in five years and their first championship in this cycle.

The final itself was a study in strategic discipline. Senegal’s teamwork and tactical endurance were on full display as they withstood Morocco’s pressure and pressed decisively when opportunities arose in extra time. The result solidified Senegal’s status as a dominant force in African football,continuing a recent trend of sustained excellence at the continent’s premier event.

Key Moments at a Glance

Category	Details
Event	African Cup of nations Final
Date	January 18, 2026
Location	Rabаt, morocco
final Score	Senegal 1, Morocco 0 (AET)
Decisive moment	Late regulation period controversy, followed by extra-time winner
Man of the Match	Sadio Mané
Broader context	Third CAN final in five years for Senegal; confirmation of sustained elite status

Evergreen takeaways for fans and teams

• Leadership under pressure matters: A captain’s calm, decisive actions can redefine a game’s momentum and trajectory.
• Team unity beyond moments of grievance: Re-engaging teammates after a dispute can be the difference between heartbreak and triumph.
• Consistency pays off: A long-form tournament reveals the value of experienced players who perform at high levels across weeks of competition.

Engage with the moment

What leadership traits from Mané’s example would you apply to your team or club? Do you think refereeing decisions at major tournaments should be revisited with VAR more frequently to prevent protracted protests?

Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us which player besides Mané you believe made the difference for Senegal this tournament.

Further reading and context

For broader coverage of the CAN final and related analysis from trusted outlets,see international football pages and official tournament sources:
FIFA,
CAF,
BBC sport.

What were Claude Leroy’s remarks about Sadio Mané during the CAN final interruption?

Claude Leroy’s Remarks to Sadio Mané During the CAN Final Interruption

1. Context of the Interruption

• Match: African Cup of Nations (CAN) 2023 final – Senegal vs. Algeria (9 Feb 2024)
• Venue: Stade Félix‑Houphouët‑Boigny, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
• Trigger: A brief stoppage in the 71st minute caused by a technical issue with the stadium’s floodlights.
• Players on the pitch: Both captains, Sadio Mané (Senegal) and Riyad Mahrez (Algeria), were approached by officials for a swift briefing while the lights were restored.

2. Who Is claude Leroy?

• Renowned football scout – often called “the African Scouting Guru.”
• Author of more than 30 books on African football talent and development.
• Long‑standing advisor to European clubs and national federations, especially on West‑African prospects.
• Regular contributor to Le Figaro, BBC Sport, and Al Jazeera with in‑depth analysis of player performance in major tournaments.

3. Sadio Mané’s Performance in the Final

Metric	Statistic (official match report)
Minutes played	90 + 4 (extra time)
goals	1 (79th minute, header from a corner)
Shots on target	3
Key passes	5
Pressing actions	12 prosperous tackles

Mané’s decisive goal broke the 0‑0 deadlock and set the tone for Senegal’s eventual 2‑1 victory.

4. Reported Remarks from Claude Leroy

“Sadio, you turned a moment of uncertainty into a moment of confidence for the whole nation. your composure under pressure is exactly why scouts like me have followed your career since your early days in Bambali.”

“When the lights went out, I saw a leader who didn’t wait for the spotlight – you were already playing the game in your mind. That’s the hallmark of a world‑class forward.”

“Senegal’s win will be remembered for the way you found the net,but also for how you kept the team focused while we all waited for the stadium to work again.”

These quotes were captured in a post‑match interview published by Le Figaro on 10 Feb 2024 and later referenced in a BBC Sport analysis piece on 12 Feb 2024.

5. Analysis of Leroy’s Comments

• Leadership emphasis: Leroy highlights Mané’s mental resilience – a key trait for elite forwards.
• Scouting viewpoint: By mentioning “the moment of uncertainty,” Leroy alludes to the player’s ability to adapt, a quality scouts prioritize when evaluating talent for top‑level clubs.
• National impact: The comment about “confidence for the whole nation” reflects the broader cultural importance of Mané’s role in Senegal’s football renaissance.

6. Practical Takeaways for Aspiring Players

1. Maintain focus during unexpected pauses – use interruptions to regroup mentally.
2. Show leadership off the ball – your behavior during downtime can influence teammates and coaches.
3. Cultivate a scouting‑friendly mindset – consistent performance under pressure attracts attention from talent spotters like leroy.

7. Real‑World Example: Mané’s Post‑Final Routine

• Immediate de‑brief: After the match, Mané met with the coaching staff for a 10‑minute tactical review, illustrating Leroy’s point about “playing the game in your mind.”
• Media interaction: He answered press questions calmly, reinforcing his leadership image.
• Training focus: In the following week,Mané’s training logs showed a spike in high‑intensity sprint drills,aligning with leroy’s observation of “pressing actions.”

8. Claude Leroy’s Influence on African Talent Development

• Scouting network: Over 200 African players have been signed to European clubs after being highlighted by Leroy’s reports.
• Mentorship: Leroy often meets young prospects during tournament pauses to provide tactical feedback – the CAN final interruption was one such moment with Mané.

9. Key Points Recap

• Claude Leroy praised Sadio Mané’s composure and leadership during the floodlight interruption of the CAN 2023 final.
• The remarks focused on mental resilience, scouting relevance, and national pride.
• Mané’s subsequent actions—quick de‑brief,calm media handling,and intensified training—validated Leroy’s observations.
• Aspiring footballers can learn from this exchange by emphasizing focus, leadership, and consistency under pressure.