Sadio Mane has spoken to his wife Aisha Tamba – reportedly 19 years old – for the first time since marrying as the former Liverpool star prepares for the start of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Senegalese icon married his reportedly long-term partner in a ceremony believed to have taken place on January 7 in Keur Massar, an area of the capital Dakar.
The relationship is believed to have been kept secret until their wedding earlier this week, although friends, family and former teammates were reportedly in attendance.
The former Liverpool striker is gearing up for the start of AFCON, with his side heading into the tournament in Ivory Coast as defending champions.
After the low-key ceremony, which saw both the bride and groom dressed in all white, Mane admitted that receiving so many congratulations made him overjoyed ahead of the start of the match.
Sadio Mane has spoken for the first time since tying the knot with his wife Aisha Tamba, insisting that Senegal will do its utmost to retain the AFCON title
Mane and Tamba got married in a low-key ceremony that reportedly took place earlier this week
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“Honestly, I’m pleased with the fact that the president congratulated me as much as, well, I would say, not just my teammates,” he said late Tuesday.
“I think all the people have congratulated me and wished me (luck), so I’m happy and I hope it works out.”
Mane and Senegal arrived in Ivory Coast for AFCON on Tuesday evening to finalize their preparations for the competition.
The Lions of Teranga have been drawn into a group that includes two of their closest neighbors, as Mane alluded to.
They will open their title defense against Gambia, a country almost completely surrounded by Senegal, which starts on Monday in the political capital Yamoussoukro.
Mane and Co will then take on traditional superpowers Cameroon on January 19, followed by a new local derby with southern neighbors Guinea on January 23, with both clashes also taking place in Yamoussoukro.
“We are also aware of everything that awaits us,” the 31-year-old said ahead of the tournament.
‘We know that it will not be easy, but what is certain is that we will get there, we will do everything we can and everything that is on our side to make you proud and above all the dream of everyone, that is say, retain the title and that’s what we’re going to try to do.
Senegal are the reigning AFCON champions after beating Egypt in the final of the 2021 tournament
Tamba is reportedly 19 years old and both the bride and groom are wearing all white on their special day
‘I especially think that the first match will be very decisive. After, as you said, they are big teams, Gambia and Guinea are derbies, also Cameroon that need no introduction, but we are also Senegal. We are going to try to do the maximum.’
The player was left out of his side’s recent 1-0 win over Niger, needing a 99th minute winner, although former international El Hadji Diouf was quick to insist there was ‘a reason’ for his omission and that there was no cause for concern.
“I believe that today everyone knows what is happening and what Sadio’s life is. Like I said, if Sadio isn’t there, there’s definitely a reason and everything we said to him at the national stadium, good luck,” the ex-Liverpool said. said ahead.
‘Because he’s going to the toughest match of his career (?) – everyone knows it’s a wedding!’
The Bayern Munich flop’s wedding earlier this week comes after a reportedly long-term relationship with Tamba, who Mane reportedly first met when she was 16 years old.
Aisha was born in Casamance, a town bordering Bambali – the village where Mane comes from and where he donated money to build a hospital.
Much attention is paid to Mane’s charity, and the striker has regularly donated money to the area where he grew up.
He has also provided funds for a mosque, a school, a gas station and provided educational materials to students in his community Bayo News Network reports this.
Reports claim Aisha ‘had been meant for the 31-year-old footballer since her teenage years’
Mane is currently on the books of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League
Since joining the Saudi Pro League, Mane has scored 12 times in 26 games
Pulse sports reported that Mane had vowed to marry Tamba from the day they started dating – during his career in Liverpool.
The same outlet exclusively reported that Tamba is not on social media and lives a private life – something the player previously claimed to look for in a potential partner.
However, in 2022, the 31-year-old had spoken out about the type of person he would marry.
“I’ve seen a lot of girls asking why I’m not married, but I’m sorry you might be wasting your time. The woman I marry will not be on social networks,” Mane said Stand.
‘I want to marry a woman who respects God and prays well. Everyone has their own way of making their choice of love,” he added.
According to reports, Tamba has been “intended for Mane since she was a teenager,” although it is not known exactly how long they have been dating.
It was also reported by Pulse Sports that the former Liverpool star had been taking care of her bills while she was at school, while the Senegalese star was also ‘looking after her family’.
However, he reportedly told his intentions to his uncle, a family friend, which led to their eventual union.