Senegal booked their place in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations on Friday night after a late goal from Sadio Mané secured a hard-fought 1–0 victory over seven-time champions Egypt.
The decisive moment came in the 78th minute when the two-time African Footballer of the Year struck from just outside the penalty area, firing a low shot into the bottom-left corner after Lamine Camara’s initial effort was blocked. The goal sparked scenes of celebration and relief among Senegalese supporters at the Grand Stade de Tanger.
The Teranga Lions, champions in 2021 after defeating Egypt in the final, dominated large spells of the semi-final but found clear chances difficult to come by against a disciplined and resolute Egyptian defence. Their persistence eventually paid off through Mané’s moment of quality.
Senegal, however, will head into the final without captain Kalidou Koulibaly. The defender was booked early in the match for a tactical foul on Omar Marmoush, earning a suspension, and was later forced off injured in the 23rd minute, effectively ending his tournament. Koulibaly had also previously missed a match earlier in the competition after being sent off during the group stage.
Before the breakthrough, Nicolas Jackson fired over the bar, while Habib Diarra and Pape Gueye both tested Egypt goalkeeper with efforts that were saved. Tensions briefly flared when Mohamed Salah fouled his former Liverpool teammate Mané, but coaches Pape Thiaw and Hossam Hassan intervened to calm both sides.
Diarra was later booked for dissent, ruling him out of the final as well.
Egypt struggled to create chances, with Salah’s dangerous free kick before halftime — which flashed through the box without a touch — their closest attempt. By the time Mané scored, Senegal had registered 11 shots, four of them on target, while Egypt had yet to trouble the Senegal goalkeeper.
The Pharaohs pushed forward in the closing stages, but Marmoush’s late effort in stoppage time was saved, sealing Egypt’s exit from the tournament.
Senegal will now face either hosts Morocco or Nigeria in the final, as they continue their quest for a second consecutive Africa Cup of Nations tit
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