Sadio Mane reveals desire for four children with Aisha Tamba

Senegalese football star Sadio Mane has revealed his hopes of starting a family, saying he would like to have “three or four” children with his wife, Aisha Tamba.

The former Liverpool forward, 32, married Aisha, now 19, in an Islamic-arranged ceremony on January 2024, in Keur Massar, a suburb of Dakar, Senegal.

The couple’s marriage drew widespread attention on social media due to their 13-year age gap. Aisha, who was 18 at the time, relocated to Saudi Arabia to join Mane, who now plays for Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr.

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Despite public scrutiny, Aisha’s parents fully supported the union, describing Mane as a “good person” from a “humble family.” Her father shared how the marriage followed traditional practices, explaining, “My wife and Aisha visited Mane’s family one day, and this is where he met her for the first time. He probably saw something special in her, and his parents appreciated her as well. We discussed everything as per tradition and waited for this day to happen.”

In an interview with Senepeopleplus, Mane shared his thoughts on family planning, emphasizing his openness to God’s will. “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 said.

When asked about the possibility of having more children—up to seven or eight—Mane laughed and responded, “Maybe, you never know. Whatever the number is, I will accept it. I am leaning more towards 3 or 4, and we will see about the rest.”

Mane and Aisha’s union adhered to Islamic customs, with no dating involved prior to their marriage due to Aisha’s young age. Her father explained, “They were not dating because Aisha was still young. Mane’s parents came to see me, and we agreed on everything in line with tradition.”

Mane is believed to have first met Aisha when she was 16, and her father noted that the football star’s interest was genuine. “He [Mane] probably saw something special in her,” he said.