Mane To Shy Away From Penalty-Taking Duties For Senegal

By Max Wise

Sadio Mane says that he will not be taking any more penalties for Senegal at the ongoing African Cup of Nations.

Mane has already taken three penalties in Egypt, missing two of those, although they have not been costly to the Teranga Lions.

The 27-year-old is the joint top scorer in the competition with three goals so far but he could have been further ahead had he not missed from the spot against Kenya in the group stages and then against Uganda in the round of 16.

"It's a momentary withdrawal," he told Senegalese media after the match. "I have missed penalties in both games and must admit that it is not a good ratio.

"I do not want to penalise my team and, at least for the time being, I'm going to stand aside for the penalties and let other team mates get on with it."

"When I return to my club, I will continue to work hard to improve on this aspect," added the Liverpool forward.

Mane’s hard luck with penalties at the African Cup of Nations dates back to the 2017 edition when he was the only one to miss from the spot in the penalty shoot-out as Senegal crushed out of the competition to Cameroon at the quarterfinal stage.

Senegal will face Benin, who shocked Morocco in the round of 16, at the quarterfinal stage with Aliou Cisse’s men looking to win the competition for the very first time.