This archive report was first published on 6 July 2019.
Published on July 6, 2019
Senegal coach Aliou Cisse and midfielder Idrissa Gueye have defended Liverpool star Sadio Mane's penalty taking responsibilities despite a woeful record at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Mane has taken all three penalties awarded to Senegal in the tournament, including two against Kenya in the group stages and one against Uganda in the round of 16.
He missed his first attempt against Kenya but scored the second one, and against Uganda, he had put Senegal ahead early in the first half before his spot kick was well covered by Uganda goalkeeper Denis Onyango.
"We know Mane's abilities and we trust him. We have an option between him and another player to take penalties. Mane decided to take it," said Gueye, who was named man of the match.
Cisse also backed his top player, saying, "Yes, Sadio (Mane) did not stop taking penalties after he missed his first one against Kenya. We trust him and he has his position in shooting penalties for the team."
Mane is now the tournament's top scorer with three goals to his name, and Senegal will meet surprise package Benin in the quarter-finals on July 10.
