Sadio Mane has spoken for the first time since marrying his wife has Aisha Tamba – reportedly aged 19 – as the former Liverpool star builds up to the start of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Senegalese icon tied the knot with his reportedly long-term partner in a ceremony thought to have taken place on January 7, in Keur Massar, an area in the capital city of Dakar.
The relationship is thought to have been kept under wraps until their wedding earlier this week, although friends, family and former team-mates reportedly attended.
The former Liverpool forward is gearing up for the start of AFCON, with his side the defending champions going into the tournament in Cote d’Ivoire.
Following the low-key ceremony, which saw both the bride and groom dress all in white, Mane has admitted that receiving so many congratulations has left him overjoyed ahead of the start of the competition.
Sadio Mane has spoken for the first time since tying the knot with his wife Aisha Tamba, insisting Senegal will do their utmost to retain the AFCON title
Mane and Tamba were married in a low-key ceremony believed to have taken place earlier this week
‘Honestly, I am happy [with] the fact the president has congratulated me just as much as, well, I would say not just my team-mates,’ he said late on Tuesday.
‘I think that all the people have congratulated me and wished me [luck] so I am happy and I hope that it’ll be okay.’
Mane and Senegal arrived in Cote d’Ivoire for AFCON on Tuesday night to finalise their preparations for the competition.
The Lions of Teranga have bee drawn in a group containing two of their nearest neighbours, as Mane alluded to.
They will open up their title defence against Gambia, a nation that is almost entirely surrounded by Senegal, with that one kicking off on Monday in the political capital of Yamoussoukro.
Mane and Co then take on traditional powerhouses Cameroon on January 19 before another local derby with southern neighbours Guinea on January 23, with both clashes also in Yamoussoukro.
‘We are also aware of all 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 do you proud and especially the dream of everybody, that’s to say, to retain the title and it’s what we are going to try to do.
Senegal are the reigning AFCON champions after beating Egypt in the final of the 2021 tournament
Tamba is reportedly aged 19, with both bride and groom wearing all white on their special day
‘Above all else, I think that the first match will be very decisive. After, as you said, it’s big teams, Gambia and Guinea are derbies, also Cameroon who 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, which needed a 99th minute winner, although former international El Hadji Diouf was quick to insist there was ‘a reason’ for his omission and there was no cause for concern
‘I believe that today everyone knows what is happening and Sadio’s life, now, as I said, if Sadio is not there, there’s definitely a reason and all that we said at the national stadium to him and good luck,’ the ex-Liverpool forward said.
‘Because he is going to the most difficult match of his career [?] – everyone knows that it’s marriage!’
The Bayern Munich flop’s wedding earlier this week comes after a reportedly long-term relationship with Tamba, who Mane is believed to have first met when she was aged 16.
Aisha was born in Casamance, a town which borders Bambali – the village where Mane is from and where he has donated money for a hospital to be built.
Mane’s charity has been well reported, and the forward has frequently donated money to the area where he grew up.
He has also provided funds for a mosque, a school, a petrol station and given learning materials to students in his community, the Bayo News Network reports.
Reports claim that Aisha ‘was long intended for the 31-year-old footballer since her teenage years’
Mane is currently on the books at Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League
Since joining the Saudi Pro League side, Mane has scored 12 times in 26 appearances
Pulse Sports reported that Mane had made a vow to marry Tamba from the very day they started dating – which was during his Liverpool career.
The same outlet exclusively reported that Tamba is not on social media and maintains a private life – something the player had previously claimed he was looking for in a potential partner.
Back in 2022, the 31-year-old had however spoken out on the type of person that he would marry.
‘I’ve seen a lot of girls asking me why I am not married, but sorry you might be wasting your time. The woman I marry will not be on social networks,’ Mane said, according to Tribune.
‘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.
As per reports, Tamba had been ‘long intended for Mane since her teenage years’ though it is not known exactly how long they have been dating.
It was also reported by Pulse Sports that the former Liverpool star had taken care of her bills when she was in school, with the Senegalese star also ‘taking care of her family.’
However, he reportedly communicated his intentions to his uncle, a friend of the family, which led to their eventual union.
