Sadio Mane has warned that Africa Cup of Nations matches do not always go the way people expect, stressing that the best team on paper is not guaranteed to win.
Speaking ahead of the AFCON quarterfinals, the Senegal star said the tournament is known for surprises and tight games, calling on his team to stay fully focused and avoid any sense of comfort.
Mane underlined that every match at this stage is decided by small details, and that the biggest mistake is to believe the favourites will automatically go through.
He added that the teams still in the competition have earned their place and will fight for every ball, which means Senegal must match that intensity from the first minute.
The forward’s message was clear: in the Africa Cup of Nations, reputation and past results do not win matches, and only the team that performs better on the day will reach the next round.
