Rangers Representation at the Africa Cup of Nations: A Tale of Dedication and Love for the Club

Abdallah Sima is the only player representing the Rangers club at the current Africa Cup of Nations. In t

heir first-ever encounter, Senegal defeated Gambia 3-0, with Sima sitting on the sideline. Sima’s Rangers

teammate Cyriel Dessers was close to joining Nigeria’s team but was left off the final roster.

Manik Mane: The Unofficial Representative of the Rangers

Manik Mane is the other unofficial Rangers representative at the competition, in addition to Abdallah

Sima, who is the team’s official representative. The translator, who is well-known for his chic wardrobe

selections and passion for the Rangers, first came to the notice of fans at Ibrox in 2020 and has since

grown in popularity. At international events, he frequently wears Rangers clothing, solidifying his status

as an unofficial club ambassador.

Mane’s latest public appearance was at the COP28 in Dubai, where he was seen proudly donning a

Rangers training top. Now, at the Africa Cup of Nations, he has brought along his ’55 Champions’ T-

shirt, a commemoration of the Rangers’ 2021 Premiership title victory. His dedication to the Rangers is

not lost on football enthusiasts and celebrities alike. He has been spotted with football bigwigs like

Emmanuel Adebayor and Seydou Doumbia, all while wearing his Rangers attire.

In a special incident, Mane encountered former Rangers player Basile Boli, who was part of the nine-in-

a-row team. Boli was thrilled to see Mane wearing his ’55 Champions’ T-shirt and took a moment to

reminisce about his stint with the club. This encounter not only highlighted Mane’s dedication to the

Rangers but also demonstrated the enduring legacy of the club on its former players.

Stadiums that are only partially full and problems with tickets have plagued the Africa Cup of Nations as

it moves forward. The tournament organizers have advised local supporters to purchase physical tickets

from one of the 51 locations throughout Ivory Coast, citing printing problems and “dead seats” as the

reason. Notwithstanding these difficulties, there have been some thrilling games throughout the

competition, such as Morocco’s resounding 3-0 victory over Tanzania in the first round.