'His players made him proud' - Okocha says Klopp will be pleased with Salah, Mane AFCON display

Nigeria legend Austin Okocha believes that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will be pleased with the performance of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

The two wingers played key roles to help their countries qualify for Sunday's showpiece with the Egyptian scoring two goals and the Senegalese finishing with three.

In the final billed as battle of the Liverpool stars, it was Mané that came out on top. scoring the crucial penalty that earned Senegal their first Africa Cup of Nations title in history.

Okocha has advised Klopp to console Salah after the winger suffered final heartache for the second time in three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

"Klopp has to do his own man management skills by consoling Salah because  it is hard to take when you get this close and not winning, you don't know when it's going to happen again because it's not your birthright," Okocha said on SuperSport.

"His players made him proud, he should be proud of them. They went out there and proved that it's not a fluke that they are playing in one of the best clubs in the world.

"It's all about attitude, commitment and your desire to leave your mark, and you can see from just their presence, their hard work, their mentality, they never give up."

Okocha praised Mané for having the courage to take Senegal's final penalty kick after missing from the spot in the first half.

"It's not every player that can step up again to go and take that final penalty because you know in Africa how hostile our fans are.

"You are risking your life, you are risking your families' lives even your home but that's what he's born to do, he's born to play football and whatever comes with it he's willing to accept that."

Mané was crowned TotalEnergies Man of the Competition after his over-the-top performance with the Lions of Teranga.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel