By Olubunmi Adebayo
*Do you still remember him – Sadio Manê?*
*Sadio Manê is the Senegalese professional footballer who won the MVP award – “Most Valuable Player”, at the just concluded 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) competition.*
*Manê was not just instrumental to Senegal’s winning the coveted 2025 AfCON tournament, but he succeeded in showcasing his leadership quality, by rallying his teammates back to the field of play after leaving in protest for over 15 minutes, on the account of what they perceived as injustice in the hand of the Referee, who had earlier cancelled Senegal’s goal, while the same Referee awarded a questionable penalty kick to the home team -Morocco.*
*_But there is another indelible lesson we should learn from this Senegalese soccer star_.*
*Please read the story below :*
*Sophia Amelia is an American football fan who is passionate about Sadio Manê.*
*She travelled all the way to Morocco from the United States to watch the AFCON tournament, hoping to meet her football hero – Manê.*
*When that long-awaited opportunity came to meet Manê, she wanted to hug him, but Manê politely declined the hug. This was on the account of how she dressed : barely cladding herself up.*
*Sophia resorted into crying, but Mané chose to remain consistent with his personal ethics, values, and norms.*
*Later, SADIO MANÊ and his wife invited Sophia to his club headquarters (Al Nassr) in Saudi Arabia.*
*Sophia honoured the invite and traveled to Saudi Arabia. She arrived more appropriately dressed than the last time, and finally got to hug Mane in the company of Mane’s pregnant wife.*
*We rejoice with Sophia for achieving her desire.*
*But Sadio Manê has again proved that he is indeed a real global exemplary icon who is worthy of emulation.*
*The question before us all is this – “How many of us can stand resolute to maintain our values, and principles in this kind situation that Manê found himself?”*
*Think about this.*
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©️ Olubunmi S Adebayo.
