Sadio Mane scores as Senegal eliminate record champions Egypt to reach the AFCON final
Sadio Mane once again proved to be Egypt’s tormentor as Senegal sealed their place in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final with a fully deserved 1-0 victory over the Pharaohs in Tangier.
Mané, who famously delivered the decisive penalty against Egypt in both the 2022 AFCON final and the 2022 World Cup qualification play-off, produced another decisive moment. The forward beat Mohamed El Shenawy with a crisp, clinical strike to settle a tense, tightly contested semi-final.
Egypt offered almost nothing in attack, failing to register a single shot until the 84th minute when Mostafa Mohamed sent a speculative effort well off target. Hossam Hassan’s conservative game plan—defending deep and hoping to counter—left his side blunt and ineffective.
READ MORE: Semenyo hails ‘perfect’ Man City environment after EFL game
Senegal suffered a setback midway through the first half when captain Kalidou Koulibaly limped off injured. The defender had already been booked for a heavy challenge on Omar Marmoush, meaning he was suspended for the final regardless of fitness.
Mohamed Salah spent most of the evening isolated, with Egypt unable to provide their captain any meaningful service. Senegal were not at their sharpest in the final third either, but their persistence eventually paid off.
The breakthrough arrived in the 78th minute. Lamine Camara’s long-range effort took a deflection and fell kindly to Mane, who struck a superb half-volley from outside the box, skimming the turf before nestling in the corner beyond El Shenawy.
READ MORE: Semenyo and Cherki score as Man City beat Newcastle in the EFL Cup
Senegal could have doubled their lead shortly after when Pape Gueye blazed over from a good position, but the single goal proved enough. Egypt never mounted a serious response, with their only moment of promise coming from a long-range strike by Marmoush that Edouard Mendy handled comfortably.
Senegal now advance to the AFCON 2025 final, where they will face either Morocco or Nigeria, as they continue their quest for another continental crown.
