Senegal booked their place in the Africa Cup of Nations final with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Egypt at the Grand Stade de Tanger on Wednesday evening, with Sadio Mané scoring a 78th-minute winner to end Mohamed Salah’s hopes of finally lifting the continental trophy.
The match, a repeat of the 2021 final which the Teranga Lions won on penalties, was a cagey affair dominated by Senegal but offering precious few clear-cut chances. However, Mané’s clinical finish from the edge of the box proved decisive, sending Senegal through to face hosts Morocco in Sunday’s final in Rabat.
Twelve minutes from time, the deadlock was finally broken. Lamine Camara’s effort from outside the area was blocked, but the ball fell kindly to Mané nearby. The Al-Nassr forward wasted no time, chesting the ball down before lashing a low strike just inside the left post beyond Mohamed El Shenawy.
The goal sparked wild celebrations amongst the Senegalese supporters in Tangier, relief evident after an evening of frustration against Egypt’s stubborn defensive organisation. The Pharaohs, who had not registered a single shot in the first half—the first time this has happened to Egypt in an AFCON match since records began in 2010—offered minimal attacking threat throughout the contest. Egypt’s cautious approach saw them complete the entire 90 minutes with just three shots, none coming until the 84th minute. They managed only one effort on target—Omar Marmoush’s 95th-minute attempt which was comfortably saved by Édouard Mendy.
The first half had been particularly sterile, producing the lowest expected goals (xG) figure of any half at AFCON 2025. Senegal dominated possession but struggled to create clear openings against Egypt’s massed ranks. Pape Gueye’s 32nd-minute effort straight at El Shenawy following Habib Diarra’s deflected shot represented the closest either side came before the interval.
Tensions threatened to boil over just before half-time when a clash between Salah and Mané led to an altercation between the technical staffs, forcing an extended pause. Both sets of coaches eventually shook hands, with referee Pierre Atcho restoring order.
The match proved costly for Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly, who received a yellow card in the 15th minute that will rule him out of Sunday’s final. The centre-back’s evening ended prematurely when he went off injured in the 23rd minute following a collision with Marmoush, replaced by Mamadou Sarr. It marks the second consecutive AFCON final that Koulibaly will miss through suspension.
As the second half progressed, Senegal intensified their pressure. Camara, who had replaced the suspended Diarra, tested El Shenawy with a powerful effort from distance. But Egypt’s goalkeeper, who worked tirelessly throughout, could do nothing about Mané’s winner.
Coach Hossam Hassan attempted to salvage something from the match, introducing three strikers in the closing stages. Ahmed Zizo came on for Rami Rabia in the 81st minute, followed by Mostafa Mohamed replacing Emam Ashour in the 84th. Despite their late urgency, the Pharaohs managed only Zizo’s stoppage-time effort which Mendy saved comfortably.
The defeat extends Egypt’s recent struggles against Senegal. The Teranga Lions have now won four of their last six meetings, including the 2021 AFCON final on penalties and a 2022 World Cup play-off, also decided from the spot. For Egypt, this marks their first semi-final defeat in 42 years at the tournament.
For Salah, the result is particularly devastating. The Liverpool star has now suffered his third AFCON final disappointment, having twice finished runner-up (in 2017 and 2021) and now falling at the semi-final stage. Despite scoring four goals in the tournament, the 33-year-old’s quest to win the one major trophy that has eluded him continues. Egypt’s seven AFCON titles, the last coming in 2010, feel increasingly distant.
Senegal, meanwhile, advance to their fourth AFCON final and third in the last four editions of the tournament. The 2021 champions will face Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday evening, seeking to become only the third nation to retain the continental crown.
Mané, the two-time African Footballer of the Year, once again proved the difference in a
crucial encounter against his former Liverpool teammate. The striker has now scored in five consecutive AFCON matches, cementing his status as one of Africa’s greatest players and a man who delivers on the biggest stages.
Match details:
- Senegal 1-0 Egypt
- Grand Stade de Tanger, Tangier
- Goal: Mané 78′
- Attendance: 75,000 (capacity)
- Senegal will face Morocco in the final on Sunday, 18 January in Rabat
