'I miss them so much' - Mane on Al Nassr fans & 'pushing until end' to deliver RSL title

Sadio Mane was serenaded by supporters, the Al Nassr faithful patently delighted to have back their African champion.

Mane had missed the past seven Roshn Saudi League matches for the club, migrating to Morocco last month and this to help his country secure a second Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] title.

Mane, captain in the final against a host team featuring Al Hilal rival Yassine Bono, was ultimately named the tournament’s best player.

On Monday night, upon his return to Al Nassr, he picked up another individual award. Integral to the Riyadh side’s grinding 1-0 victory at home to fifth-placed Al Taawoun, Mane was voted Man of the Match.

Clearly, as Al Nassr struggled in his absence to slip from the RSL summit to second and then to third, Mane was missed.

Judging by his reaction on Monday, the feeling was mutual.

“Of course, I miss all of them so much,” the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich forward said of the fans. “I’m really, really happy to be back… to see my teammates, everybody, and start playing with the team.

“And, of course, we want to win all the games.”

Al Nassr didn’t do enough of that after Mane departed for his national service. Top of the table with nine wins from nine before the 2025 AFCON, Jorge Jesus’ men struggled to take one point from their next four in the RSL, including defeat in the Capital Derby to title foes Al Hilal.

However, the Al Taawoun victory, sealed courtesy of Mohammed Al Dossary's own goal from a Mane cross right on half-time, made it three wins on the bounce. With it, Al Nassr are back in second, ahead of Al Ahli on goal difference and, crucially, now five points from leaders Al Hilal.

Back to support Al Nassr's championship challenge, Mane is certainly up for the fight.

“It will not be easy - we know that - but we’ll push as a team until the end,” he said. “Because we have many, many, games left, so anything is possible. We will not give up. We’ll push, all the team with the fans, and go to the end.”

With two-and-a-half seasons in the RSL under his belt, and a runner-up medal already, Mane understands what Al Nassr need in 2026.

“Of course, it’s the time to win a trophy,” he said. “We have a good chance this season again to win the league, even though it will not be that easy. Because we are five points behind, but the season is long - there is really, really long to go.

“So, we will keep the momentum and try to push hard as a team. And, at the end of the day, try to be on the top.”