In the semi-final of the 2025 AFCON, Senegal’s left-back, El Hadji Malick Diouf, delivered an outstanding performance against Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah. This match marked a turning point in the competition, as Malick Diouf showed he could take on world-class players. Before the tournament, the West Ham United defender faced criticism for his defensive displays, but he proved his worth, especially by shutting down Mohamed Salah in the 1-0 semi-final victory.
In an interview with SuperSport after the match, Malick Diouf explained that his success against Salah was no coincidence, but rather the result of valuable advice from his teammate and friend, Sadio Mané, Salah’s former partner at Liverpool. The defender revealed that Mané supported him with wise tips on how to counter his ex-teammate, who is one of the best wingers in the world.
“Did Sadio Mané give me tips for facing Salah? Of course,” Diouf shared. “We talked about it two days before the match, during the team meeting or even during warm-up. Each time, he gave me pointers on how to play against Salah. He told me, ‘He’s an excellent player, a top-level player. So, if you do this… you know how good my advice is.’” According to Diouf, this advice was crucial for his performance on the pitch.
The defender also explained that when facing a player of Salah’s caliber, you must respect him, but above all, not give him any margin for error. “One little mistake and you’re done,” he admitted. Thanks to mental preparation and the strategies suggested by Mané, Diouf was able to focus on his defensive duties and maintain constant vigilance.
This kind of solidarity among teammates is not rare in top-level football, but in this case, it allowed Malick Diouf to shine on the African stage. Sadio Mané, as a mentor and leader, played a crucial role in his teammate’s performance, proving once again that unity is strength.
