Senegal booked their ticket to the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations this week following a hard-fought 1-0 win over Egypt at Grand Stade de Tanger in the semifinals yesterday night.
Senegal settled early at the start of the match and stroked the ball around with relative ease inside the first five minutes. Egypt attempted to play the ball out from the back but were often dispossessed just outside their area.
Egypt grew into the game as the 20th minute approached but often fell short at the final hurdle. However, Senegal continued to see more of the ball throughout the first-half but likewise, battled to make their chances stick.
There was nothing to separate the two nations as the halftime whistle approached while a touchline scuffle broke out as frustration began to creep in on both technical areas.
The Lions of Teranga commenced the second-half just as they started the first but lacked success going forward. While the score read 0-0 with 20 minutes left on the clock, Senegal maintained their pressure on the ball.
Sadio Mane opened the scoring for Senegal in the 77th minute albeit with a touch of fortune. After a failed shot fell into his path, the experienced forward rifled the ball into the back of the net on the edge of the 18-yard-area.
Senegal eventually held on to preserve their lead at the end of the tie to ultimately secure their passage into the final of the 2025 Afcon.
Mane and company will now await the outcome between hosts Morocco and Nigeria to learn who their opponents will be in the final.