Sadio Mane was left visibly frustrated during Senegal's 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burundi after the referee informed him he could not take the penalty he was awarded.
The Lions of Teranga claimed a narrow 1-0 win over Burundi on Monday, which puts them top of their qualification group with four points after their 1-1 stalemate with Burkina Faso last Friday.
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Despite what the marginal scoreline suggests, Senegal dominated the match against Burundi, claiming 70% ball possession and having 21 shots on goal.
The breakthrough strike came in the 71st minute only, via a penalty by new Crystal Palace signing Ismaila Sarr.
Talisman Mane won the penalty after he was kicked in the face in the opposition box in the 66th minute of play.
After receiving medical attention for the challenge, the Al Nassr star attempted to take the spot-kick himself, but was stopped in his tracks by Egyptian referee Mohamed Maarouf Eid Mansour.
In a video posted by CANAL+ SPORT Afrique, Mane can be seen arguing with the match official before he is instructed to leave the pitch without taking the penalty.
Qualif #CAN2025 ?? : Sadio Mané ???? était visiblement en désaccord avec l'arbitre qui l'a "empêché" d'exécuter son pénalty. C'est le règlement ?? pic.twitter.com/HUuYyh7U1u
— CANAL+ SPORT Afrique (@cplussportafr) September 9, 2024
According to Afrik-Foot, the Senegal star was denied taking the penalty due to the fact that he needed to first leave the field of play after he received medical attention.
The Egyptian match official is understood to have explained to Mane that the protocol is that a player must leave the pitch via the fastest side to re-enter through the middle of the field, more precisely on the side of the fourth match official near the touchline.
The 32-year-old seemed bewildered by the strict application of the rule, which led to Sarr converting the penalty instead.
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Ultimately, the 2022 CAF Men's Footballer of the Year missed out on an opportunity to net the 44th goal of his international career.