Mane copies Kobe Bryant with Instagram post after Senegal win first AFCON title

Sadio Mane has emulated an iconic image of basketball legend Kobe Bryant following his African Cup of Nations success.

The Liverpool forward made amends for an early penalty miss by converting the decisive spot-kick in the showpiece final's shootout after neither Senegal nor Egypt were able to break the deadlock following 120 minutes of action.

Mane's Anfield team-mate Salah was controversially denied the opportunity to take a penalty in the dramatic shootout as Senegal claimed their first ever AFCON triumph.

While Salah was left distraught, Mane could be seen savouring his success in a post to Instagram which appeared strikingly similar to a famous snap of LA Lakers legend Bryant.

The image showed the Senegal hero looking reflective while the AFCON trophy rested on his shoulder and his winners' medal hung proudly from his neck.

The stance looked remarkably similar to a shot of Bryant who adopted a similar pose after helping the Lakers beat the Philadelphia 76ers to triumph in the 2001 NBA Finals.

Despite numerous parallels, with Mane seemingly attempting to replicate the famous shot, the two images did contain some differences.

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The Liverpool striker lay topless in a bed for the snap while the iconic image of Bryant showed him fully clothed and sat in a shower stall following the Lakers success.

While it remains to be seen what Mane was pondering, the picture of Bryant is said to have a sombre story behind it.

The five-time NBA champion later admitted the tearful shower shot showed him musing over his father, who elected not to attend a single game during the Finals after the pair had fallen out over his decision to marry.

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