Sadio Mane and his teenage wife are not going on honeymoon because she has been made to return to school in preparation for her final exams, MailOnline can reveal, after footage posted online showed her being greeted by classmates.
The former Liverpool star married Aisha Tamba in an Islamic ceremony on January 7 in Keur Massar, a suburb in the capital city of Dakar, just six days before the start of the Africa Cup of Nations on January 13.
Mane, 31, is currently with the Senegal squad for the tournament in the Ivory Coast but was hoping to go on honeymoon once it is over, with the final taking place on February 11.
But Aisha, 18, has been instructed by her family to focus on her studies ahead of her final baccalaureate exams this summer, an academic qualification that students obtain at the end of their secondary education.
Moussa Ndiaye, Mane's best friend and confidant who played an integral role in arranging his marriage told MailOnline: 'Sadio was hoping to have a honeymoon at some point either after the final, if Senegal get there or before, if they are eliminated.
'But Aisha's family want her to remain focused on her education. She has very important exams comping up and they don't want this marriage getting in the way. They feel there will be plenty of opportunities for holidays later in her life. For now, her schoolwork must come first.'
He added: 'Even though she is now married to Sadio, who is the most famous man in Senegal, she is still a schoolgirl and needs to complete her studies.'
Aisha attends the all-girls Cabis school in Mbao, a town on the outskirts of Dakar. She returned to the classroom earlier this week and was greeted by hundreds of fellow pupils who wildly applauded and shouted her and Mane's name.
Videos on social media showed the rapturous reception she received with pupils chanting 'Sadio amenda jabar - Aissaa amena jekeur', which reportedly translates as 'Madame Sadio Mane'.
Mr Ndiaye revealed further details of how Mane's marriage came about. As his closest friend, he spent years accompanying him while he played at clubs such as Liverpool, Southampton and Bayern Munich, becoming one of the leading names in world football.
Mr Ndiaye, 28 revealed that Mane was at Liverpool when he first saw Aisha in the early part of 2020 during a short visit home to Senegal.
The footballer signed for Liverpool in 2016 for £34 million, making him the most expensive African player in history at the time. He currently plays for Saudi Pro League Club Al Nassar
Mr Ndiaye: 'Her age is not important. In Senegal it is quite common for older men who are very successful to marry much younger women. That's how it is in our culture. Whether Aisha was 15 or 16 when she first met Sadio, it doesn't matter.
'Traditionally in Senegal, when you see someone, you want to marry you speak to family and friends and the marriage is arranged through them.'
Mr Ndiaye revealed that ahead of his marriage Mane held a large party in his home for friends and family and also gave a dowry of $1,000.
But most of it was returned by Amadou Tamba, Aisha's father.
Speaking after the marriage, he insisted that their union was not about Mane's 'fame and wealth' and that his daughter had no interest in such things.
He added: 'Let her keep being the good person she is because no matter all the riches an individual may get in life, he will remain a human being like the others. Let them be humble. That's my philosophy of life.'
It is not known if Aisha will join Mane in Saudi Arabia once he returns to his club and she is currently staying at the family home.