When Senegal came up against Cape Verde in the round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon, an injury scare to their star forward threatened to ruin their fairy tale.
Sadio Mane rose high to meet a looped through ball but was met by the outstretched arm of Cape Verde goalkeeper Josimar Dias Vozinha.
The Liverpool ace fell awkwardly and was consequently rushed to the hospital to avert a possible fatality.
The injury, however, turned out to be a blessing in disguise for a distraught family, that had pending bills of their child admitted at the same facility.
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The child had been hit by a motorcycle, sustaining serious fractures and bruises. His parents were in distress as they could not afford his treatment.
“Sadio, who was in this hospital, found this grieving family and asked them what was going on,” said a guest on a popular sports show on Cameroonian TV channel Equinoxe TV.
“We explained the situation to him and he gave them Ksh70,000 (400,000 FCFA ) which relieved this family,” he added.
Mane was passed fit to contest their quarterfinal match against Equatorial Guinea. He featured in the match, as well as their subsequent matches against Burkina Faso in the semis and Egypt in the final.
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Against Egypt on Sunday, Mane scored the decisive spot-kick as Senegal went on to lift the coveted trophy for their first time ever.
“I believe that this blessing was rewarded today (on Sunday in the final) by GOD,” said the guest.
Mane has been involved in charitable courses in Senegal, among them contributions towards the construction of schools and hospitals.
He also sponsored fans to watch their AFCON triumph on Sunday.
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