Sadio Mané once again stood between Mohamed Salah and continental glory as Senegal edged Egypt to book their place in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Tangier.
In a tense and tightly fought semi-final, the decisive moment arrived 12 minutes from time. After a blocked effort on the edge of the area, the ball broke kindly to Mané, who calmly swept a low right-footed strike inside the left post, leaving goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy rooted to the spot.
The goal continued a familiar narrative between the two former Liverpool teammates. It marked the third time Mané has come out on top against Salah in high-pressure international encounters, following Senegal’s penalty shoot-out victories over Egypt in the 2021 AFCON final and the 2022 FIFA World Cup play-off.
Despite Salah arriving at the semi-final as Egypt’s top scorer with four goals — his best return at an AFCON tournament — he struggled to influence proceedings. Senegal’s defensive discipline ensured that Edouard Mendy remained largely untroubled until deep into stoppage time, when Omar Marmoush finally forced a save with a long-range effort.
Senegal dominated possession and territory but initially found it difficult to penetrate Egypt’s compact defensive structure. Nicolas Jackson blazed over early on, while Habib Diarra and Pape Gueye tested El Shenawy as pressure steadily mounted.
Tempers briefly flared before half-time when Senegal coach Pape Thiaw entered Egypt’s technical area during a stoppage, sparking a heated exchange between both benches and underlining the tension surrounding the contest.
After the break, the pattern remained unchanged. Senegal probed through long-range attempts from Lamine Camara and Iliman Ndiaye, while Egypt remained cautious despite introducing experienced winger Trezeguet. The breakthrough finally came when Camara’s shot was blocked and Mané reacted fastest from 20 yards out.
VAR checks for offside and handball delayed celebrations, but Senegal’s goal stood. Egypt threw on attacking reinforcements — including Zizo, Mostafa Mohamed and Salah Mohsen — yet struggled to muster sustained pressure as Senegal expertly managed the closing stages.
The victory sends Senegal into Sunday’s final, where they will face either Nigeria or Morocco. However, the Teranga Lions will be without captain Kalidou Koulibaly and midfielder Habib Diarra after both collected second yellow cards in the knockout rounds, with Koulibaly also nursing an injury.
For Salah, now 33, the defeat represents another painful chapter in his AFCON journey. A finalist in 2017 and 2021 and hampered by injury in 2023, the Egyptian captain once again saw his title hopes ended — fittingly, by Mané. With AFCON set to become a four-year tournament from 2028, the 2027 edition in East Africa may represent his final opportunity to lift the trophy.
