Mané Strikes Again as Senegal Sink Egypt to Reach Afcon Final

The storied rivalry between Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah added a new, definitive chapter on Wednesday evening as Senegal overcame a dogged Egypt side to secure their place in the Africa Cup of Nations final. While past encounters between the two icons—most notably the 2021 Afcon final and the 2022 World Cup playoffs—were decided by the lottery of a penalty shootout, this semi-final was settled by a singular moment of individual brilliance from Mané.

A War of Attrition

Semi-finals are rarely celebrated for their aesthetic beauty, but this encounter in Tangier was particularly aesthetic-starved. Egypt, under the tactical direction of Hossam Hassan, reverted to their most pragmatic form. Deploying three central defenders and two deep-lying shields, the Pharaohs effectively "killed" the game from the first whistle. The match was characterised by cynical fouls, exaggerated injuries, and relentless gamesmanship that tested the patience of the Gabonese referee, Pierre Atcho.

Despite controlling nearly two-thirds of the possession, Senegal found themselves frustrated by Egypt's low block. The first half passed with a flurry of whistles and stoppages, offering almost no creative flair.

The Breakthrough

The deadlock was finally broken in the 78th minute. As Senegal recycled possession on the periphery of the Egyptian box, a speculative effort from Lamine Camara took a fortuitous deflection off Hamdy Fathy. The ball spun perfectly into the path of Sadio Mané, who cushioned it on his chest before unleashing a ferocious snapshot from just outside the area.

Mohamed El Shenawy was left helpless as the ball flew past him. Despite desperate Egyptian appeals for handball and offside, the goal stood, sending the Senegalese bench into raptures.

Comparing the Titans: Mané vs. Salah

Once again, Mané found a way to be the protagonist at Salah’s expense. While Salah remained a peripheral figure for much of the night due to Egypt’s refusal to commit men forward, Mané’s patience and persistence were rewarded.

Fallout and Consequences

The defeat leaves Egypt at a crossroads. Having reached the 2017 and 2021 finals through sheer defensive grit, their lack of attacking ambition—despite possessing the likes of Salah and Omar Marmoush—has drawn sharp criticism. Manager Hossam Hassan cut a spiky figure in the post-match press conference, blaming a shorter recovery period and travel logistics for his side’s exit.

For Senegal, the victory came at a significant cost. Both captain Kalidou Koulibaly and Habib Diarra will be suspended for Sunday’s final against Morocco after picking up bookings. Nevertheless, Aliou Cissé's men march on to a showdown with the tournament hosts, buoyed by the knowledge that in Sadio Mané, they possess a match-winner who consistently thrives when the stakes are at their highest.