Sadio Mané Edges Mohamed Salah Ahead of AFCON Semi-Final Reunion

Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah are set for another high-profile Africa Cup of Nations reunion this week as Senegal prepare to face Egypt in the semi-finals in Tangier.

Both Liverpool legends arrive at the last four having played decisive roles for their respective nations. Salah was on target in Egypt’s dramatic 3–2 victory over Ivory Coast on Saturday, striking a day after Mané’s Senegal secured a narrow 1–0 win against Mali thanks to Iliman Ndiaye’s goal.

Salah’s strike against Ivory Coast took his tally at the tournament to four goals, while Mané has found the net just once in five appearances. However, the numbers underline a deeper story, with Mané arguably exerting a greater all-round influence on the competition.

The Senegal forward has created more chances from open play than any other player at the tournament, registering 14 in total, while also recording the most touches in the opposition half (233). His impact has extended well beyond goals, underlining his importance to Aliou Cissé’s side.

Over the past decade, Mané has been the most productive player in AFCON history, contributing directly to 19 goals, with 10 goals and nine assists. That record places him ahead of Salah, who has registered 16 direct goal contributions during the same period, comprising 11 goals and five assists.

The pair are widely regarded as modern Liverpool greats, having been central figures in the club’s domestic and European successes under Jürgen Klopp. Yet, despite their on-pitch brilliance, their partnership was not without tension.

One of the most notable flashpoints came during Liverpool’s 2019 away match at Burnley, when Mané reacted angrily after Salah opted to shoot rather than square the ball, despite Mané appearing better placed. The Senegalese winger’s frustration continued after he was substituted, as he angrily discarded his training top and gestured towards Salah from the bench.

Although Mané later insisted the issue had been resolved, the episode reinforced perceptions of a strained relationship that lingered until his departure for Bayern Munich in 2022.

Reflecting on the incident, Mané revealed that the matter was addressed directly between the two players. He recalled Salah explaining that he had not seen him in space, adding that there was no personal issue between them.

Salah has since acknowledged that their shared hunger for goals occasionally created friction. Speaking to L’Équipe earlier this year, the Egypt captain admitted that Mané’s competitiveness affected the closeness of their relationship.

“There was tension with Sadio,” Salah said. “It’s human to want more, especially when you are a competitor. Off the pitch, we were not very close, but we always respected each other.”

As Egypt and Senegal prepare to clash once again on the continental stage, the focus now shifts back to football, where two of Africa’s greatest forwards will seek to lead their nations to AFCON glory.