Ex-Liverpool striker Sadio Mane found himself dressed all in white again as Senegal received a farewell letter for the Africa Cup of Nations – two days after he married his 19-year-old girlfriend.
Mane, who currently plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, joined his Senegalese teammates for a flag ceremony ahead of the tournament in Ivory Coast.
The footballer, 31, was seen greeting well-wishers as he arrived for the ceremony, which included musical performances, waving fans in colorful clothing and a speech from Senegalese President Macky Sall.
It came after Mane married his ’19-year-old long-term girlfriend’ Aisha Tamba in a private ceremony in his home country.
The wedding is said to have taken place on Sunday in Keur Massar, part of the capital Dakar, and was attended by family, friends and fellow players.
Sadio Mane found himself dressed all in white again two days after marrying his 19-year-old girlfriend as Senegal received a farewell match for the Africa Cup of Nations
Sadio Mane is married to his ’19-year-old girlfriend’ Aisha Tamba
The Senegal squad attended the pre-tournament flag ceremony before heading to Ivory Coast
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Reports claim that Aisha has been ‘intended for the 31-year-old footballer since she was a teenager’, although it is not known exactly how long they have been dating. The legal age of consent in Senegal is 16 years.
It was also reported that the former Liverpool star had taken care of her bills while she was at school.
The couple shares the same religion, Islam, and they are both said to be private individuals.
Photos from the wedding were published on Instagram by photography company @Magvision_Evens_Officiel.
The photos show Mane and his wife, who grew up in Senegal’s Casamance neighborhood and is the daughter of an architect, holding hands and posing after the ceremony.
One image shows the couple sitting under a rosary, with the words ‘Mrs Mane’ printed on the wall.
Mane will be in action when Senegal kick off their defense of the Africa Cup of Nations – Africa’s premier continental tournament – against Gambia on Monday.
Senegal will play Cameroon and Guinea in the group stage and are among the favorites to win the trophy.
The Senegalese team received a colorful farewell with dance and music during the flag ceremony
President Macky Sall greeted the players and gave a speech before they left for Ivory Coast
In the wedding photos, Aisha is seen wearing an intricate, fitted, mermaid-style lace dress, with long sleeves and a silk veil.
Other photos show a second outfit: a silk white top and skirt combination, which she paired with a chunky gold necklace and earrings. The bride also has henna on both hands.
Mane (left) found himself wearing an all-white dress again just two days after his wedding
In the photos, Mane can be seen wearing traditional Senegalese clothing.
During his time at Liverpool, Mane had not publicly announced any relationship and had kept Aisha a secret.
However, in 2022, he had spoken out about the kind 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,” Mane added.
The footballer first saw Aisha when she was 16, but he did not formally approach her at the time. according to Sportbrief.
However, he reportedly told his intentions to his uncle, a family friend, which led to their eventual union.
Senegal coach Aliou Cissé said: ‘The whole national team, including myself, we asked him (Sadio) all the time: ‘When are you getting married?’
The wedding took place on January 7 in a private ceremony in his home country of Senegal
Reports claim Aisha ‘had been meant for the 31-year-old footballer since her teenage years’
Sadio Mane kisses his new bride’s hand during a wedding photo shoot
Aisha was born in Casamance, a town bordering Bambali – the village where Mane comes from and where he donated money to build a hospital. 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.
Aisha is said to be a student at Cabis School in Grand Mbao Baobab, Senegal, according to Basically sports.
She reportedly speaks Mandingo, a language spoken in parts of Senegal and Gambia that her new husband also speaks.
Aisha is off social media and will reportedly remain committed to her studies as Mane kicks off the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.
Mane joined Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr in August last year, completing a £34million transfer from Bayern Munich after a difficult spell with the Bundesliga champions.
His deal with the Pro League sees him earn £650,000 a week.
The wedding photos show the footballer lovingly fastening his bride’s veil
The couple holds hands and smiles with a floral background behind them
The couple poses together with Aisha lovingly holding Mane’s chin
In some wedding photos, Aisha is seen wearing gold jewelry
He had moved to Bayern for £35 million the year before but struggled to establish himself at the Bavarian club, while also reportedly feuding with teammate Leroy Sane.
Since joining the Saudi Arabian squad, Mane has scored 12 times in 26 appearances for the club and reportedly returned to Senegal in early January to prepare for AFCON.
According to Pulse sportshe also opened a new stadium in his hometown of Bambali earlier this month.
The Al-Nassr forward has been named in Senegal’s squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament and is currently in camp with his teammates.
Mane joined Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nasser in 2023 in a deal that would see him earn £650,000 per week
Since joining the Saudi Pro League, Mane has scored 12 times in 26 games