Former Super Eagles of Nigeria playmaker and skipper Austine Okocha has come out to lavish praises on Senegal star forward Sadio Mane. The former Bolton and Hull City player said Sadio Mane put his life and family at risk by taking the final spot-kick that ensure Senegal win the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
Recall that the Liverpool forward had already missed one penalty in the first Hal of the game. Mane squandered the chance to put Teranga Lions into the lead when his seventh-minute penalty was saved by Egypt goalkeeper, Gabaski. The game ended 0-0 after 120 minutes.
The Pharaohs of Egypt missed two of their kicks, Mane summoned the courage to step forward and fired in the winner for the West Africans. Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, who worked as a pundit with Supersports through the tournament stated that the Liverpool forward was courageous enough to take a big risk knowing the consequences if he had missed the penalty kick.
According to him, he said: “It’s not every player that can step up again to go and take that penalty.” “Because you know in Africa how hostile our fans are. By doing so, he was risking his life, risking his family’s life, even your home, you know? “But that’s what he’s born to do. He’s born to play football and whatever comes with it, he’s willing to accept it.”