As Senegal gear up for a high-stakes Africa Cup of Nations semi-final clash against Egypt on Thursday, star forward Sadio Mane will have the unwavering support of his wife, Aisha Tamba. The couple's relationship, which began with a traditional Islamic marriage in 2024, has since blossomed with the arrival of their first child.
The Wedding and Meeting
Sadio Mane and Aisha Tamba were married in January 2024 in Keur Massar, Dakar, at the home of the bride. The ceremony took place just as Mane and the Senegal squad were preparing to defend their AFCON title, a trophy they won by beating Egypt in the 2021 final. According to Aisha's father, Amadou Tamba, the pair first met when Aisha was 16, with the meeting arranged through family visits. He emphasised that they did not date beforehand due to her age, with Mane being 13 years her senior.
"My wife and Aisha visited their (Mane's) family one day, and this is where he met her for the first time," Tamba explained. "He probably saw something special in her, and his parents appreciated her as well. We discussed, as per the tradition, agreed on everything and waited for this day to happen."
Education and Celebration
Following the wedding and the AFCON tournament, the focus shifted to Aisha's education. Reports suggest Mane's plans for a honeymoon were postponed at the request of her family, who wanted her to concentrate on her final school exams. The dedication paid off later in 2024 when the couple celebrated Aisha's successful graduation, as she received her baccalaureate diploma with a passable distinction. Social media footage captured Mane joyfully celebrating the achievement with his wife.
Growing the Family
The couple welcomed their first child, a baby girl, in March 2025 when Aisha was 19. Mane famously dedicated a goal for his club, Al Nassr, to his newborn daughter soon after. When asked about his ideal family size, the Senegal and former Liverpool star expressed a desire for three or four children, but added that the final decision rests with a higher power.
"Funny question. If it is just a choice, I would say 3 or 4. Except that it is God who decides and I will thank him no matter what," Mane told Senepeopleplus. Pressed on whether he would consider an even larger family of six or seven, he replied, "Maybe, you never know."
On the pitch, Mane's immediate focus is the crucial AFCON semi-final against Egypt, a rematch of the 2021 final. Senegal have been defensively robust in the tournament, conceding only two goals on their path to the last four. Mane has scored once so far, and now faces the formidable challenge of getting past a team led by his former Liverpool teammate, Mohamed Salah. The stage is set for a dramatic encounter, with Mane's personal cheerleader, Aisha, undoubtedly watching on.
