Sadio Mane: Senegal star recalls how he refused to MARRY an underage girl after wedding Aisha Tamba

Al Nassr star Sadio Mane has been in the headlines all week following his marriage to Aisha Tamba.

Pulse Sports reported that the 31-year-old Teranga Lions star tied the knot on Sunday, January 7, in a ceremony that held in Keur Massar, Dakar, Senegal.

Aisha was a long-intended match for Mane, with their connection dating back to her teenage years.

 Pulse Sports also revealed that Mane took care of Aisha's financial responsibilities while she was in school, demonstrating a commitment that goes beyond the conventional boundaries of a romantic relationship.

Revealing  in a 2019 interview, Sadio Mane, opened up about the complexities he faced regarding marriage. 

The Senegal international revealed that his mother and uncle once advocated for him to marry a 14-year-old girl from their village.

 Mane candidly shared his resistance to this proposal, stating that he refused to proceed with such a union. 

“No, in fact I wanted to get married but you know that marriage is a bit complicated. I would have liked to get married, but you know that with parents also, that's another thing, they are complicated.

" I remember one day, my mum and my uncle wanted me to marry [as it is done in the villages] a 14-year-old girl. [Calling to someone off camera] Idy, it was 14 right? I believe that she will be 15 this year but I had refused. But no worries, if I find my soul mate, I will get married straight away,” Mane was quoted to have told Orange Senegal.

These comments resurfaced recently, shedding light on Mane's past struggles in navigating familial expectations and his decision to marry the 18-year-old Aisha Tamba.

The Senegal no.10 is gearing up to help the Teranga Lions successfully defend their crown as Africa’s best at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast. 

Senegal begin their title defense against Gambia in Group C on Monday, January 15.