After The Burkina Faso Vs Senegal Match, Mane Urges His Country To Make Every Effort To Win The African Cup Of Nations

JAKARTA - Sadio Mane lauded his teammates in the Senegal squad after beating Burkina Faso 3-1 at Yaounde on Wednesday to reach the final of the African Cup of Nations for a second successive year.

"It proves the momentum we have. We know it won't be easy to reach two consecutive AFCON finals but the most important thing for us right now is to try hard and win it, whoever we face," said Mane after scoring one goal and designing one assist in the semifinal match was quoted from Antara, Thursday.

Abdou Diallo put Senegal ahead 20 minutes from time at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in the Cameroonian capital, before Mane provided the assist for Idrissa Gana Gueye's second goal.

He himself then scored the third goal after Blati Toure pulled one back for Burkina Faso.

"We are up against a very good Burkina team which is a big problem for us," added the Liverpool star.

"We expected a tough game and it happened, but we stayed calm and created a lot of chances. I think we deserved to win tonight."

Mane, who has now scored three goals in the tournament, couldn't help but smile from his face as he looked forward to his chance to win the continental trophy.

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

Africa's top-ranked national team lost to Algeria in the 2019 final in Egypt.

They will face hosts Cameroon or Egypt in Sunday's final at the Olembe Stadium.

Egypt and Cameroon are the most successful countries in AFCON history with a total of 12 titles, while Senegal has yet to win the African continent crown.

Asked who he would prefer to face in the decider, Mane replied, "We have no preference."