Mane leads RSL's Senegal trio to AFCON win, Bono named best goalkeeper | OneFootball

Roshn Saudi League stars Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy celebrated 2025 Africa Cup of Nations success on Sunday night, while Yassine Bono was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament.

Senegal defeated hosts Morocco 1-0 in a drama-filled final in Rabat, with Al Ahli goalkeeper Mendy first saving a penalty in the 24th added minute at the end of normal time.

However, the 2021 champions would ultimately take a second continental title, when in extra-time, Al Nassr forward Mane won possession in midfield and found Idrissa Gana Gueye, who released namesake Pape Gueye.The Senegal midfielder held off Moroccan captain Achraf Hakimi before unleashing a superb strike high past Al Hilal No.1 Bono.

Senegal, who for the final were without usual captain and Bono’s Al Hilal teammate Koulibaly, held out the hosts to eventually take the trophy. Morocco, whose squad also included Al Najmah defender Jawad El Yamiq, had been attempting to land the title for the first time in 50 years.

Mane, who scored the winner in the 2021 final, was named the tournament’s best player after netting two goals and registering three assists.

Bono, meanwhile, departed the tournament with the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper. The Al Hilal stopper, the 2023-24 RSL Goalkeeper of the Year and the current African Goalkeeper of the Year, kept five clean sheets in seven matches - a number matched only by Mendy.

Afterwards, Mane said: "I was crowned the best player of the tournament while playing in the Saudi league. And Yassine Bono won the Best Goalkeeper award, and he is also a player in the Saudi league.

"This proves beyond any doubt that the Saudi league today is classified among the strongest and best leagues in the world.”

Mane’s Al Nassr are next in RSL action on Wednesday, when they travel to Damac seeking to cut Al Hilal’s lead at the top of the table to four points. Al Hilal host Al Fayha the following day, while Al Ahli and Al Najmah are both playing on Tuesday, against Al Khaleej and Al Shabab, respectively.

Asked about Al Hilal’s march to the RSL summit while he has been in Morocco, Koulibaly joked: “It seems they don’t need me.

“We will go to Senegal to celebrate the title, and I will return to Riyadh again with Al Hilal,” the centre-back added with another smile: “[Manager Simone] Inzaghi is trying to get me back quickly.”