A SECRET matchmaker is responsible for the whirlwind romance between footballer Sadio Mane and his teenage bride Aisha, it has emerged.
The pair, who tied the knot in a secret ceremony, met through the ex-Liverpool star’s agent who was friends with Aisha’s construction boss dad.
Magvision EvensThe couple tied the knot in a secret ceremony in Senegal on Sunday[/caption]
Magvision EvensMane reportedly met Aisha when she was 16 through his agent[/caption]
Magvision EvensAisha and Mane have kept their relationship a secret[/caption]
Magvision Evens19-year-old Aisha was pictured showing off her henna-painted hands[/caption]
The couple got married days before Mane begins Senegal’s defence of the Africa Cup of NationsInstagram / @magvision_evens_official
The ex-Bayern Munich man, 31 and Aissata Tamba, 19, kept their relationship a secret until pictures of their secret wedding, believed to have taken place in Senegal on Sunday, were released.
Glam photos published on Instagram show stunning Asha arriving at the ceremony in Keur Massar wearing a long-sleeved lacy outfit and matching headdress as she shows off her henna-painted hands.
And it has now been revealed how the pair, who reportedly met when Aisha was 16, were introduced after her constructor dad Madou Tamba met with Sadio’s agent Bacary Cisse for a project.
A source told MailOnline: “Sadio and Aissata’s romance blossomed after his agent met her father.
“Madou Tamba is a respected construction manager in Senegal and was tasked by Sadio’s agent to oversee the footballer’s various building projects in the country.
“That meeting played a key role in Sadio meeting Aissata. He worked closely with her father.
“The two men developed a trusting working relationship and through that relationship Sadio was introduced to his daughter.
“Everyone in the village of Bambali is delighted for them. Sadio is a good man. He has given lots of money to the people of Bambali and he deserves to be happy.
“He hasn’t stopped smiling since the wedding and they both look so pleased.”
The wedding came days before the Al-Nassr star Mane is set to captain Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
Sadio has funded a number of charitable construction projects in his hometown Bambali, including a school, a health centre, a post office and most recently a small football stadium.
He has also provided laptops for the school, a 4G network for the entire community and £60 (70 euros) a month for every family in his old neighbourhood.
Pulse Sports reported that Mane had taken care of Aisha’s bills when she was in school.
The pair, who are from the same area in Senegal are seen grinning in photos surrounded by friends and family during the ceremony in Dakar.
Snaps of the wedding were shared on Instagram and received more than 85,000 likes in less than 24 hours.
Unlike her sports star spouse, Aisha appears to remain out of the spotlight and has no presence on social media.
Speaking to local media following the wedding, Sadio admitted he was overjoyed after receiving so many congratulations.
“Honestly, I am happy [with] the fact the president has congratulated me just as much as, well, I would say not just my team-mates,” he said.
“I think that all the people have congratulated me and wished me [luck] so I am happy and I hope that it’ll be okay.”
Mane also made light of jokes surrounding his marriage to his 19-year-old bride as Senegal’s president Macky Sall received the national squad ahead of AFCON.
“First of all, I would like to warmly congratulate our national Nianthi, Sadio Mane, who has just got married,” Sall said.
“I called him up so that we could applaud him and wish him a happy marriage.
“May God bless your home and your descendants. From now on you have another job apart from scoring goals.”
The ex-Bayern Munich was seen laughing and covering his face with his hands in response to the joke alongside his teammates.
Mane did not disclose any personal relationships during his six-year spell at Liverpool.
Magvision EvensMane is said to have been paying Aisha’s bills while she was at school[/caption]
Magvision EvensAisha prefers to remain out of the spotlight[/caption]
Bayo News NetworkThe bride was seen smiling surrounded by friends and family[/caption]
DATVHappy Sadio speaking for the first time after the wedding with Aisha[/caption]