There are few crueler ways to leave a competition than by penalties.
Unfortunately for Sadio Mane and the Senegal national team, that’s just what happened. Mane fluffed a crucial penalty that sent Cameroon on to the quarter finals of the African Cup of Nations.
The fifth and final penalty for Senegal was comfortably saved by Cameroon goalkeeper Joseph Ondoa, which left the door open for Vincent Aboubakar to take Cameroon through to the next stage of the competition, rocketing his penalty home.
Naturally being knocked out of an international competition is upsetting for any team and any player, but Mane was noticeably distressed and almost inconsolable, needing to be helped off the pitch and into the tunnel by his teammates.
Mane is in tears. Inconsolable. Being led down the tunnel, head buried inside shirt, by team-mates and officials. He can barely walk.
— Nick Ames (@NickAmes82) January 28, 2017
Mane is inconsolable as he been told he must return to Liverpool pic.twitter.com/kqbJcVso7z
— dαvιd_jв_1965 (@David_JB_1965) January 28, 2017
Some Liverpool fans shared in Mane’s distress at his home nation’s chances of AFCON glory being finally dashed. Others were positively over the moon with the result, despite Mane’s evident emotional turmoil.
Commiserations to Sadio Mane, who bows out of #AFCON2017 with Senegal. pic.twitter.com/UzitmsXj9R
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 28, 2017
Obviously I'm happy we get Mané back but seeing him heartbroken is not nice, he genuinely gave his all for Senegal. Be proud Sadio.
— Ben Webb (@BenWebbLFC) January 28, 2017
When Mane arrives at John Lennon Airport in Liverpool tomorrow https://t.co/zHAce1ggIV
— Mö (@Mohit30M) January 28, 2017
Mané has missed his penalty for Senegal. Obviously has seen the state of us and wants to come back
— The Anfield Talk (@TheAnfieldTalk) January 28, 2017
I hate the fact that Sadio Mane is trending for the wrong reason. I feel sorry for him. Very unfortunate
— onemrQuaye (@omQueue) January 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/doubtliv/status/825474776827383808
So Mane is coming back.
Thank you.
— Alia Baik (@AliaLiverpool) January 28, 2017
It has been clear that Liverpool are suffering without Mane’s presence, and some fans were thrilled at the prospect of the winger returning and possibly pulling the Reds out of their nosedive.
But it takes a heart of stone not to empathise with a man who gave his all representing his country and lost it all in one crucial moment.
