Sadio Mane the hero again as Senegal edge Egypt to reach AFCON final

Sadio Mané struck a 78th-minute winner to fire Senegal into the Africa Cup of Nations final with a 1–0 victory over Egypt in Tangier on Wednesday.

The former champions dominated possession against a cautious Egyptian side and will now face either hosts Morocco or Nigeria in Sunday’s showpiece. The result extends Senegal’s recent hex over the Pharaohs, following their famous victories in the 2022 AFCON final and the 2022 World Cup play-offs.

While the Teranga Lions celebrated, it was a night of frustration for Egypt captain Mohamed Salah, who was expertly marshalled by the Senegalese defence. Now competing in his fifth AFCON, the closest the Liverpool legend has come to the trophy remains his two runner-up finishes.

The victory came at a cost for Senegal, however. Veteran centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly was cautioned after 17 minutes for a foul on Omar Marmoush. The booking—his second in as many matches—rules the 34-year-old out of Sunday’s final. Worse was to follow for the Saudi-based defender, who sustained an injury six minutes later and had to be replaced by Mamadou Sarr.

In a cagey first half, Senegal’s attacking efforts failed to truly test 37-year-old goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy. A Nicolas Jackson effort flew over the bar before Pape Gueye saw a low, angled shot comfortably gathered.

Tempers flared as half-time approached, with both benches involved in heated verbal exchanges and pushing. The tension forced rival head coaches Pape Thiaw and Hossam Hassan to intervene before the referee restored order in the dugouts. Egypt’s only real threat of the half came in stoppage time, but a dangerous free-kick from Salah fizzed through a crowded goalmouth and out of play.

Both sides tinkered with their line-ups for the second period. Egypt introduced Mahmoud 'Trezeguet' Hassan for Ahmed Aboul-Fetouh, while Senegal brought on Lamine Camara for the cautioned Habib Diallo.

The pattern remained unchanged after the interval, with Egypt content to sit deep and absorb pressure. By the 75th minute, the Pharaohs had remarkably failed to register a single shot on target or win a corner. Their resistance finally crumbled 12 minutes from time. An ambitious long-range strike from Camara took a fortuitous deflection into the path of Mané, whose clinical low finish flew past El Shenawy to spark wild Senegalese celebrations.