Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe said the continent’s governing body had a “duty” to Senegal to ensure its federation gets “all the support and encouragement they require”.

Meanwhile, Thiaw said he hopes Sunday’s final, which kicks off at 19:00 GMT, will not be Sadio Mane’s last ever game at the tournament.

Following Wednesday’s semi-final win against Egypt, Mane, who scored the winner, told reporters he would not play at Afcon again.

Mane is Senegal’s all-time leading scorer with 52 goals in 123 appearances.

“I think he made his decision in the heat of the moment and the country does not agree, and I as coach of the national team do not agree at all,” said Thiaw.

“His decision is no longer up to him. There is a whole people behind him too and they would like to see him continue.

“We would like to keep him for as long as possible.”

Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda host the 2027 Afcon – the dates of which are yet to be announced – and Al-Nassr forward Mane will turn 35 in April next year.