In the video: Fares Awad. I am a champion with Senegal and Al-Nasr.

Emirati commentator Fares Awad sparked controversy after he described Sadio Mane, the Al-Nasr star, as a hero in Senegal’s squad despite recently stripping the Teranga Lions of the Africa Cup of Nations title.

Mane scored the goal that powered Al-Nasr to a 4-1 win over visitors Damascus in a match that brought them together at the Al-Awal Park Stadium in the thirty-fourth and final round of the Rushen League on Thursday.

After scoring the goal, Fares Awad said while commenting on the game on Channel Eight. “In his absence, no one can replace him, and in his presence, no one can stop him. The Lion of Victory, the Lion of Teranga, the Lion of the First Park is a champion for his national team and wants to be a champion for his club.”

The win saw Al-Nasr lift the Saudi League title after a seven-year absence and is the first title the Senegalese star has won since joining Al-Alami in the summer of 2023.

During the coronation ceremony, Fares Awad continued his praise of Mane, saying: “You were a man, Sadio, champion of your country’s national team and champion of your club.”

Notably, the Emirati commentator described Mane as a hero with his country despite the Confederation of African Football’s decision to disqualify Senegal from the Nations Cup last January at the expense of Morocco.

Last March, the African Confederation decided to consider the Senegal national team as a loser for reaching the final match, depriving them of their second title in their history, while the Moroccan national team was also crowned for the second time.