It was billed as Sadio Mane v Mohamed Salah. The former teammates of Liverpool, who many believe became fierce rivals during their peak days
It was billed as Sadio Mane v Mohamed Salah. The former teammates of Liverpool, who many believe became fierce rivals during their peak days.
Senegal and Egypt have played exceptionally well from the group stage through to the round of 16 and the quarter-finals.
The semi-final fixture had promised to be a tight contest, and it lived up to the expectations.
The Lions of Teranga, right from the onset, demonstrated that they were never going to sit at the back. Pape Bounar Thiaw’s side started on the forefront and dominated possession but failed to do the needful.
With fewer chances created, both teams went into the break thinking of how to create more chances to stand any chance of progressing.
Senegal made a change ahead of the kick-off in the second half, where Habib Diarra, Sunderland’s energetic midfielder, was replaced by the talented Lamine Camara of AS Monaco. Diarra was on a yellow card with the head coach of Senegal, Thiaw, not ready to risk anything. The Sunderland midfielder will miss the finals due to the accumulation of yellow cards.
It was the second substitution made by Senegal within the first 45 minutes as skipper Koulibaly was replaced by Mamadou Sarr after sustaining a groin injury in the 23rd minute.
The second half got off to a good start for Senegal. They tested Mohamed El Shenawy on three occasions within 10 minutes. Senegal kept on asking questions about the dull and timid Egyptians.
They finally got the breakthrough when Sadio Mane’s fantastic shot from outside the 18-yard box deceived El Shenawy and ended at the back of the net.
Mane’s celebration showed how determined he was to get another victory over his former teammate, Salah.
Hossam Hassan decided to finally attack Senegal, but it was too late for them. Egypt had their first shot of the game in the stoppage time when Marmoush’s wonderful shot was calmly saved by Edouard Mendy.
Senegal qualified for the third AFCON finals in the last four editions.
Egypt, on the other hand, must wait for another two years to win their first title since 2010 in Angola when they defeated Ghana 1-0.
Mohamed Salah still must wait for a trophy for the Pharaohs.
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