MOROCCO — Sadio Mané struck a late winner as Senegal defeated Egypt 1-0 in Wednesday’s first Africa Cup of Nations semifinal in Tanger, ending his former Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah‘s goals of a maiden AFCON title.
This rematch of the 2021 last — gained by Senegal on penalties after Mane struck the decisive spotkick — was framed as a gathering of the 2 former membership mates and rivals, each among the many best attacking gamers Africa has ever produced.
Whereas Salah had scored 4 in 4 on the Nations Cup en path to the semi, it was Mane who struck the winner in a contest brief on probabilities, chesting down within the 78th minute earlier than lashing low past a really hard-working Mohamed El Shenawy.
Senegal now advance to their fourth Nations Cup last, whereas Egypt can be left regretting an excessively cautious method that did not yield an effort on aim earlier than the final ten minutes.
The primary half was a very turgid affair, marked by two bookings that ensured neither Hossam Abdelmaguid nor Kalidou Koulibaly would participate within the last ought to their group advance.
The previous was booked within the sixth minute after pulling again Nicolas Jackson as he moved right into a harmful place, whereas Koulibaly, once more trying in need of tempo and match sharpness, introduced down Omar Marmoush for his second yellow of the match 11 minutes later.
The veteran defender, who has already served a suspension this match after being despatched off in opposition to Benin, was changed with damage within the twenty third minute with an obvious groin downside, with 20-year-old Mamadou Sarr approaching in his place.
SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP by way of Getty Photographs
Senegal loved the higher of the primary half as Egypt confirmed little ambition, though regardless of dominating the ball, they struggled to forge clear-cut goalscoring alternatives; Pape Gueye firing straight at El Shenawy within the thirty second minute after Habib Diarra’s try from vary was neutralised by a deflection.
A conflict between Salah and Mane simply earlier than halftime threatened to ignite a boring contest, resulting in a conflict between the 2 units of technical workers which compelled an prolonged pause, whereas Diarra additionally obtained a warning that guidelines him out of the ultimate.
Because the second half wore on, Senegal’s urgency intensified, with Lamine Camara, on for Diarra, sending a strong effort at aim from outdoors the world, forcing a save from El Shenawy, whereas Egypt’s tried lengthy balls as much as Marmoush repeatedly led to unnecessary turnovers.
The breakthrough got here 12 minutes from time, when Camara’s effort was blocked and the ball bounced out fortuitously to Mane, on the sting of the field. He introduced it down — amidst some shouts of handball — earlier than instinctively firing low into the close to nook of the Egyptian aim.
Quickly after, Pape Gueye might have sealed development with an effort from contained in the field, solely to skew his effort extensive, whereas Egypt lastly had their first try of the match within the 84th minute when Mostafa Mohamed‘s header did not hit the goal.
As they lastly tried to modify their mindset to really search a aim, Marmoush despatched a strong try on aim within the fifth minute of stoppage time from the sting of the field, however Édouard Mendy was equal to the late menace.
Senegal advance to their third last within the final 4 AFCON tournaments, whereas Egypt lose an AFCON semi for the primary time in 42 years, with Salah’s hunt for the continental crown that his nation have gained a document seven occasions coming to an finish in Tanger.
