Mane Willing To Swap Champions League Trophy For AFCON Glory

By Max Wise

Sadio Mane says triumphing with Senegal in the ongoing African Cup of Nations would top his success with Liverpool in last season’s UEFA Champions League.

Mane was instrumental as Liverpool won a sixth European Cup after overcoming Tottenham Hotspurs 2-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano in early June.

The 27-year-old scored 4 goals in 13 appearances in Europe, including a sublime effort against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in the round of 16.

Mane was missing in action as Senegal opened their Nations Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over Tanzania in their opening game on Sunday.

The former Southampton forward was serving a suspension as a result of bookings accrued during the qualifiers.

Mane will however be back as Senegal wrap up their group stage games against Algeria and Kenya, and he will be hoping to lead the Teranga Lions to their first African Cup of Nations trophy.

"It is up to us to achieve something great," he told France Football. "Of course we are one of the favourites, we cannot hide from that. But this standing is not enough to go all the way.

"Winning with my country, which has never won the Africa Cup of Nations, would be magnificent.

"I am even ready to swap a Champions League to win an Africa Cup of Nations. The return to Dakar would be extraordinary. This is my biggest and most crazy dream."

"It's in our hands," he said. "It's clear that we're one of the favourites.

"We can't deny it. It's not just enough to get results, but we have to be at our best level in every match."