Gary Lineker has taken to Twitter to react after watching footage of Liverpool forward Sadio Mane win the Africa Cup of Nations.
What’s the story?
Well, it was Mane who bravely smashed the winning penalty past Egypt’s Gabaski, to seal Senegal’s first success at the tournament.
Unfortunately, it came at the expense of his Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah, who was visibly emotional as Mane prepared to take his spot-kick.
Nevertheless, it was a dramatic moment in the history of football, in a final which will go down in AFCON folklore.
You can see what Lineker had to say about Mane’s exquisite penalty below.
Clearly, the BBC Match of the Day host is a big fan of the 29-year-old Liverpool star.
In truth, Lineker couldn’t be more right to call Mane a “lovely” man – the stuff he has done for his country is phenomenal.
The £34m man has built hospitals, schools and stadiums in his home country of Senegal, choosing to spend his wealth on improving the life of his fellow countrymen.
Sadio Mane will be huge for Liverpool
The confidence gained from scoring the winning penalty – especially after what happened in normal time – will do wonders for Mane in the second half of the campaign.
Additionally, Liverpool could be about to welcome home an angry Salah, determined to win every other piece of silverware up for grabs this season.
However, it is Mane who we think will look more of a different player from now on.
To step up and score the winning penalty in such confident fashion, against the same goalkeeper who denied him in normal time, takes huge courage.
It was a real test of nerves for the Liverpool No.10, and a true battles of minds with Gabaski, but Mane came out on top.
Hopefully, the outcome of the AFCON final will see Jürgen Klopp welcome back two determined, motivated players – albeit for different reasons.
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