Sadio Mané struck a decisive 78th-minute winner to hand Senegal a 1–0 victory over Egypt on Wednesday night and book their place in the Africa Cup of Nations final in Tangiers.
The former champions dominated possession throughout the semi-final against a cautious Egyptian side and will now face either hosts Morocco or Nigeria in Sunday’s final.
The win extended Senegal’s recent dominance over Egypt. The Teranga Lions defeated the Pharaohs in the 2022 AFCON final and again in the 2022 World Cup play-off, with both encounters decided by penalty shoot-outs.
Egypt captain Mohamed Salah was effectively neutralised by a disciplined Senegal defence. Appearing in his fifth AFCON tournament, the Liverpool star has now finished runner-up twice, his closest attempts at lifting the continental trophy.
Senegal suffered an early setback when veteran centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly was booked in the 17th minute for a foul on Egypt forward Omar Marmoush. It was his second yellow card of the tournament, ruling him out of the final. Matters worsened for the 34-year-old shortly afterwards as he picked up an injury and was forced off six minutes later, with Mamadou Sarr coming on in his place.
Despite enjoying greater attacking intent in a cagey first half, Senegal failed to seriously trouble Egypt’s 37-year-old goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy. Nicolas Jackson fired over from distance, while Pape Gueye’s low angled effort lacked power and was comfortably saved.
Tempers flared late in the opening half as heated exchanges broke out between the rival benches, prompting head coaches Pape Thiaw and Hossam Hassan to intervene and appeal for calm. The referee later addressed both coaches before order was restored.
Egypt’s only notable first-half threat came in stoppage time when Salah delivered a free-kick into a crowded penalty area, but the ball evaded everyone and drifted out beyond the far post.
Both sides made changes after the break, with Egypt introducing Mahmoud “Trezeguet” Hassan for Ahmed Aboul-Fetouh, while Senegal brought on Lamine Camara for the cautioned Habib Diallo.
As the match passed the hour mark, the pattern remained unchanged. Egypt continued to cede possession, confident in their defensive organisation. With 15 minutes of regular time remaining, the Pharaohs had yet to register a shot on target or win a corner.
The sustained Senegal pressure finally told in the 78th minute. Camara’s ambitious long-range effort took a deflection and fell kindly for Mané, who fired a low shot past El Shenawy to seal victory and send Senegal into another AFCON final.
AFP
