Former Liverpool star Sadio Mane has spoken out for the first time since getting married to partner Aisha Tamba at a private ceremony in Senegal.
Mane, 31, who is now playing his club football at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, tied the knot on Sunday, January 7 in Keur Massar, an area in the capital city of Dakar. It came eight days before Senegal’s first game at the Africa Cup of Nations against Gambia, with Mane set to captain his country.
Family, friends and fellow footballers were reported to have attended Mane’s wedding, while photos from the ceremony were posted on Instagram by photography company @Magvision_Evens_Officiel – leading to a host of replies, comments and general shock on social media.
They showed Mane and his new wife holding hands, with one photo displaying them sat on roses and ‘Mrs Mane’ wrote behind them.
Following the ceremony, Mane spoke out about tying the knot and the messages he has received ahead of leading Senegal at AFCON. “Honestly, I am happy [with] the fact the president has congratulated me just as much as, well, I would say not just my team-mates,” he said, via the Daily Mail. “I think that all the people have congratulated me and wished me [luck] so I am happy and I hope that it’ll be okay.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Mane and the Senegal squad arrived in Ivory Coast as Aliou Cisse’s side look to defend their AFCON title – two years after beating Mohamed Salah’s Egypt in the final.
As well as Gambia, Senegal have been drawn against Cameroon and Guinea in Group C. “We are also aware of all that awaits us,” Mane added.
“We know that it will not be easy but what is certain is that we will get there, we will do everything we can and everything that is on our side to do you proud and especially the dream of everybody, that’s to say, to retain the title and it’s what we are going to try to do.
“Above all else, I think that the first match will be very decisive. After, as you said, it’s big teams, Gambia and Guinea are derbies, also Cameroon who need no introduction, but we are also Senegal. We are going to try to do the maximum.”
