Sadio Mane has made his first public comments since marrying his reported longtime partner Aisha Tamba, who is said to be 19 years old. The former Liverpool star is preparing for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

The Senegalese football icon reportedly exchanged vows with Aisha Tamba in a ceremony believed to have occurred on January 7th in Keur Massar, a district in Dakar, the capital city of Senegal. Despite efforts to keep their relationship private, their wedding earlier this week was attended by friends, family, and former teammates.

Mane, who is now focusing on the AFCON tournament in Cote d’Ivoire, is currently getting ready for the competition with his team, the defending champions.

Following the intimate ceremony where both the bride and groom wore white attire, Mane expressed his joy at the overwhelming number of congratulatory messages he has received as he looks forward to the upcoming tournament.

“Honestly, I am happy [with] the fact the president has congratulated me just as much as, well, I would say not just my team-mates,’ he said.

“I think that all the people have congratulated me and wished me [luck] so I am happy and I hope that it’ll be okay.”

Mane and the Senegalese national team have arrived in Cote d’Ivoire to complete their preparations for the upcoming AFCON tournament.

The Lions of Teranga have been placed in a group that includes two neighboring countries, as Mane mentioned. They will begin their title defense against Gambia, a nation almost entirely surrounded by Senegal, with the match scheduled for Monday in Yamoussoukro, the political capital of Cote d’Ivoire.

Following their opener, Mane’s team will face traditional football powerhouses Cameroon on January 19, followed by another local derby against southern neighbors Guinea on January 23. Both matches will also take place in Yamoussoukro.

“We are also aware of all that awaits us,” the 31-year-old said ahead of the tournament.

“We know that it will not be easy but what is certain is that we will get there, we will do everything we can and everything that is on our side to do you proud and especially the dream of everybody, that’s to say, to retain the title and it’s what we are going to try to do.

“Above all else, I think that the first match will be very decisive. After, as you said, it’s big teams, Gambia and Guinea are derbies, also Cameroon who need no introduction, but we are also Senegal. We are going to try to do the maximum.”

According to Pulse Sports, Mane had reportedly made a vow to marry Tamba from the very day they started dating, which was during his time at Liverpool.

The outlet also exclusively reported that Tamba is not on social media and prefers to maintain a private life, a quality that Mane had previously mentioned he was looking for in a potential partner.

In 2022, the 31-year-old had spoken out about the type of person he would marry.

“I’ve seen a lot of girls asking me why I am not married, but sorry you might be wasting your time. The woman I marry will not be on social networks,” Mane said, according to Tribune.

“I want to marry a woman who respects God and prays well. Everyone has their own way of making their choice of love,” he added.

According to reports, Tamba had been someone Mane had long intended to marry since her teenage years, although the exact duration of their relationship is not known.

Pulse Sports also reported that during her time in school, the former Liverpool star had taken care of Tamba’s bills, and he has also been supportive of her family.

Reportedly, Mane communicated his intentions to marry Tamba to his uncle, who is a friend of the family, which eventually led to their union.