Senegal booked their spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final after edging past Egypt in a tense semi-final, with Sadio Mane delivering the defining moment late on.
The forward struck with 12 minutes left, reacting quickest when the ball spilled to him outside the area and drilling a low right-footed effort just inside the left post.
The contest was tight for long spells, with Senegal enjoying more possession but struggling to unlock a disciplined Egyptian back line during much of the evening.
That solitary goal proved enough, sealing another high-profile victory for Mane over Mohamed Salah on the international stage.
Familiar duel ends in Senegal joy
This result represents the third time Mane has come out on top against his former Liverpool colleague in major matches between the two nations.
Four years earlier, Senegal defeated Egypt on penalties in both the 2021 AFCON final and a play-off for the 2022 World Cup, with Mane playing a decisive role on each occasion.
Salah arrived in the semi-final in strong form, having scored four times on Egypt’s route to the last four, his best return at a continental tournament.
However, the 33-year-old found little room to influence proceedings, as Egypt struggled to threaten until Omar Marmoush forced a save from Edouard Mendy deep into stoppage time.
Suspensions and missed chances shape the narrative
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw will have to plan for the final without captain Kalidou Koulibaly and midfielder Habib Diarra, both of whom received second yellow cards in the knockout phase.
Koulibaly’s absence could be compounded by fitness concerns after he was withdrawn midway through the opening half.
On the pitch, Nicolas Jackson sent an early chance over the bar, while Diarra and Pape Gueye later tested Mohamed El Shenawy from a distance.
Egypt rarely ventured forward, though Marmoush was fouled by Koulibaly more than 30 yards from goal, earning the defender a booking that would later rule him out of the final.
Frustration for Salah as history repeats itself
Despite late introductions of Trezeguet, Zizo, Mostafa Mohamed, and Salah Mohsen, Egypt failed to mount sustained pressure in search of an equaliser.
Mane’s goal sparked jubilant scenes, surviving checks for offside and a possible handball before being confirmed.
For Salah, the defeat extends a long wait for continental glory, having lost AFCON finals in 2017 and 2021 and exited earlier in subsequent editions.
Egypt’s loss also marked their first semi-final defeat since 1984, prolonging a title drought that stretches back to their third consecutive triumph in 2010.
Senegal will now meet hosts Morocco in Sunday’s final, after the Atlas Lions edged Nigeria on penalties in the second semi-final.
