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We have to win it this time says Sadio Mané

Staff Reporter|Published

Sadio Mane of Senegal celebrates scoring Senegal's third goal during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Afcon Finals semi-final match againt Burkina Faso. Picture: Shaun Roy, BackpagePix

SENEGAL superstar Sadio Mane is determined not to let Africa Cup of Nations glory slip through his fingers again after helping his team to back-to-back finals.

After Adbou Diallo’s 70th-minute opener, the Liverpool ace set up a goal for Idrissa Gueye before booking a place in Sunday’s decider with a goal three minutes from time after Burkina Faso threatened a fightback in a 3-1 win on Wednesday in Cameroon.

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Mane’s confidence will be high after a national-record-equaling 29th strike clinched a shot at a maiden African title and he wants to use their momentum to exorcise the ghosts of their 1-0 2019 final defeat to Algeria.

He says: “It shows you the momentum we have.

“We knew it was not going to be at all easy to get to two straight Afcon finals.

ALSO READ: Reds teammates on track for Afcon showdown

“We expected a tough game and it was, but we stayed calm and created lots of chances. I think we deserved to win.

“I think you can see on my face how happy I am, which is completely normal. I am really proud personally and very happy for myself, my teammates and the country.”

With Mane’s Liverpool teammate Mo Salah leading record eight-time African champions against hosts Cameroon for the right to play in the 7pm final last night, the 29-year-old says he doesn’t matter who they face.

He adds: “We have no preference who we play.

“The only thing is that we must win it, that’s the question.

“I know it wouldn’t be an easy game.”

We have to win it this time says Sadio Mané