Sadio Mane recently surprised the soccer world after announcing that he had tied the knot with 18-year-old Aisha Tamba. What made this even more astonishing was that Mane had kept their relationship secret until the day of their marriage. This news came just six days ahead of the 2024 AFCON tournament, leaving everyone shocked and intrigued.

As per reports, Tamba is the 31-year-old’s longtime girlfriend. However, the significant age difference of 13 years has garnered considerable media interest.

How long have Sadio Mane and Aisha Tamba been dating?

Adding to the secrecy is the 18-year-old’s absence from social media. As reported by ‘BusinessDay’, the couple has been in a relationship for a span of two years. The Al Nassr forward first crossed paths with Aisha Tamba when she was just 16 years old, and since then, he had been discreetly courting her. It is worth noting that in Senegal, where the couple hails from, the legal age of consent is 16.

Also, according to ‘Pulse Sports’, Mane even took up the responsibility of covering her school fees and education. Following their two years of clandestine dating, the couple exchanged vows on January 7, 2024, in a private ceremony in Dakar, Senegal.

In choosing his life partner, Mane specifically sought someone like Tamba, who has no social media presence and is religiously inclined, and he found those qualities in her. Back in 2022, the athlete stated, “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. I want to marry a woman who respects God and prays well. Everyone has their own way of making their choice of love.”

While not a lot is known about Tamba, her background is quite similar to Sadio Mane’s background. Where does she hail from?

More about Aisha Tamba and her family background

Aisha Tamba hails from Casamanca, a town near Bambali, the place Mane hails from. She speaks the native Mandingo language; the same as Mane. Tamba is a dedicated student at Cabis School with aspirations to further her education. It is said that she wants to continue her education after her marriage as well.

As for her family, Tamba belongs to an enterprising family from Plan Jaxaay. Her father works as an architect, and after their daughter’s wedding, the family held a post-wedding ceremony in Plan Jaxaay. The couple’s wedding pictures were shared on Instagram by @Magvision_Evens_Officiel and left Mane’s fans wanting for more.

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Currently, the Al Nassr player is in camp with his Senegalese teammates ahead of the upcoming 2023 AFCON tournament. And he seems to have a lot on his plate. Mane helped build a stadium in his hometown Bambali, before his busy schedule for his AFCON duties.

Wedding bells for Mane couldn’t come sooner. What are your thoughts on this newlywed couple? Let us know in the comments.

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