JOHANNESBURG: Senegal talisman and striker Sadio Mane could have missed out on a glittering football career had he agreed with a wish of his late father.
For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport
The 33-year-old was discouraged from playing football as a child because his father, a devout Muslim, wanted his son to concentrate on religious studies instead.
Mane, who would go on to become an African football icon, made this revelation when speaking to a senior Confederation of African Football (CAF) official.
Despite differing views about football, the two-time African player of the year stressed his love for his father, and how heartbroken he was as a seven-year-old when his parent died.
