Senegal Defeat Egypt To Reach AFCON Final
Sports Updated: 14 January 2026 22:50 EAT
Sadio Mane scored the only goal to eliminate Egypt from the AFCON
Senegal booked their place in the Africa Cup of Nations final after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Egypt in the semifinals on Tuesday. The match, played at a packed stadium, saw Senegal edge past the defending contenders thanks to a late decisive goal.
The only goal of the game came in the 78th minute when Sadio Mané found the back of the net, breaking the deadlock and sending the Senegalese fans into celebration. Egypt struggled to respond, failing to convert several opportunities in the final third.
Egypt, led by Mohamed Salah, had looked promising in earlier stages of the tournament but were unable to overcome Senegal’s disciplined defense. Despite controlling portions of possession, their attacks were often neutralized by Senegal’s midfield.
Senegal’s tactical approach emphasized tight marking and swift counter-attacks. Coach Aliou Cissé praised his team’s focus, saying their determination and organization were key to securing the semifinal win.
The loss means Egypt will not feature in this year’s final, ending their hopes of reclaiming the AFCON title. Fans expressed disappointment on social media as the nation’s hopes were dashed in the closing stages of the match.
Senegal will now face the winner of the Morocco vs Nigeria semifinal in the final, aiming to add another continental trophy to their record. Analysts predict a competitive showdown, highlighting Senegal’s momentum and strong squad depth.
The AFCON final is scheduled for later this month, with Senegal looking to cap their campaign with a historic triumph. Egypt, meanwhile, will regroup and focus on rebuilding for the next edition of the tournament.
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FELIX MAKONA
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