https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2022/02/07/mendy-on-his-cup-of-nations-pride
Mendy on his Cup of Nations pride
07 Feb 2022
Edouard Mendy was on the receiving end of plenty of praise following his
penalty heroics in the Africa Cup of Nations final and discussed his pride
at winning the trophy.
https://i.imgur.com/mTm1B6i.jpg
Senegal had never won the competition before, having suffered painful
defeats in both of their previous appearances in the final, losing at the
last stage in the previous tournament in 2019 and being defeated in a
penalty shoot-out in 2002.
However, on this occasion it was the Teranga Lions who came out in top in
the pressure of penalties, as Mendy made a crucial save to triumph 4-3 in
the shoot-out after a 0-0 draw with Egypt in 120 minutes.
https://i.imgur.com/XVNKVh4.jpg
Mendy keeps out Lasheen's penalty
Although it was his team-mate Sadio Mane who converted the spot kick which
sealed the victory, it was Mendy's save down low to deny Egypt's fourth
taker Mahanad Lasheen which swung the shoot-out decisively in Senegal's
favour.
Having become the first goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet in both the Cup
of Nations final and the Champions League final, in addition to his
crucial penalty save, it was no surprise to see Mendy named the
tournament's best keeper after the final, receiving both that honour and
his FIFA Best Goalkeeper award on the pitch.
There was no shortage of praise heading his way either, with former Blues
and Senegal striker Demba Ba labelling him 'the last missing piece for
Senegal to win the Africa Cup of Nations', while current Senegal captain
Kalidou Koulibaly gave him plenty of credit by saying: 'We made it with
our team and our power. Our goalkeeper is the best in the world and we win
the title'.
https://i.imgur.com/O9zDdGL.jpg
Receiving his award for the Cup of Nations' best goalkeeper
Mendy himself was at the centre of Senegal's celebrations as he was mobbed
by team-mates at the conclusion of the shoot-out, and spoke of his pride
at being part of the side which finally made Senegal African champions.
'We are proud,' said Mendy. 'We never won it before. We worked really hard
to win this trophy and today we won as a group and as a country and that
is why I am super proud.
'The penalties were tense for me, but also for the shooters. They did
really well and I tried to give my best to save one shot and I did that,
so I am super happy.'
Having already become an African and European champion with Senegal and
Chelsea over the last year, Mendy will now meet up with his fellow Blues
in Abu Dhabi to try and add a global title to that list in the FIFA Club
World Cup.