SENEGAL 1-0 EGYPT
By SCM SPORT WRITER in Tangier
SADIO MANE proved he is still the undisputed King of Africa after breaking Egyptian hearts to fire Senegal into the AFCON final.
In a clash billed as the ultimate heavyweight rematch between former Liverpool teammates, it was Mane who delivered the knockout blow, leaving Mohamed Salah empty-handed once again.
The “Lion of Teranga” pounced in the 78th minute, rifling a low “laser” into the bottom corner to settle a cagey, bad-tempered semi-final in Tangier.
For Salah, the wait for international glory goes on.
The Pharaohs’ skipper was a ghost for much of the night, shackled by a Senegalese defense that refused to give him an inch of North African turf. While Salah cut a frustrated figure, Mane was a whirlwind of energy, eventually finding the breakthrough after Lamine Camara’s shot was deflected into his path.
KOULI-BLOW FOR LIONS
But the victory came at a massive cost for Senegal.
Skipper Kalidou Koulibaly will miss the final through both injury and suspension.
The veteran defender was booked early on for a crunching challenge on Omar Marmoush—his second yellow in two games—before limping off with a groin injury just 23 minutes in. Despite losing their rock at the back, Senegal dominated.
Chelsea star Nicolas Jackson led the line with purpose, and only the heroics of Egypt’s veteran keeper Mohamed El Shenawy kept the scores level for so long.
PHARAOHS FALL FLAT
Egypt, seven-time champions, offered almost nothing in return.
They didn’t register a single shot on target until the 95th minute, when Marmoush finally tested Edouard Mendy.
As the full-time whistle blew, Mane was mobbed by teammates while Salah stood stoic, his dream of an eighth title for Egypt up in smoke. Senegal now march on to Sunday’s showpiece, seeking their second title in four years, while Egypt head for the third-place play-off.
