Senegal’s forward #10 Sadio Mane celebrates his goal with Senegal’s forward #13 Iliman Ndiaye during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) semi-final football match between Senegal and Egypt at the Grand stadium in Tangiers on January 14, 2026. (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP)
Sadio Mane struck late to fire Senegal into the Africa Cup of Nations final after a tense 1-0 victory over Egypt in Wednesday’s semi-final clash in Tangiers.
Mane’s decisive goal arrived in the 78th minute, capping a dominant display by the former champions, who controlled possession against a disciplined and cautious Egyptian side.
The Teranga Lions will now await the winner of the second semi-final between hosts Morocco and Nigeria, with the final scheduled for Sunday.
The win extended Senegal’s recent superiority over Egypt, following victories in the 2022 AFCON final and the 2022 FIFA World Cup playoff—both of which were decided via penalty shoot-outs.
Egypt captain Mohamed Salah, featuring in his fifth AFCON tournament, was largely kept quiet by the Senegal defence. The Liverpool star has twice finished as a runner-up in the competition, his closest brushes with lifting the trophy.
Senegal suffered an early setback when experienced centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly was booked in the 17th minute for a foul on Egypt forward Omar Marmoush. It was his second yellow card of the tournament, automatically ruling him out of the final.
The situation worsened for the 34-year-old defender six minutes later when he picked up an injury and was forced off, making way for Mamadou Sarr.
Despite Senegal’s dominance in the first half, clear-cut chances were limited. Nicolas Jackson fired an effort over the bar, while Pape Gueye tested Egypt’s 37-year-old goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy with a low angled shot that lacked power and was comfortably saved.
*Heated exchanges*
Tempers flared shortly before the break as members of both technical benches engaged in heated verbal exchanges, with some pushing reported. Head coaches Pape Thiaw and Hossam Hassan were seen appealing for calm before the referee intervened to restore order.
Egypt threatened for the first time in stoppage time at the end of the opening half, earning a free-kick near the touchline. However, Salah’s delivery drifted through a crowded penalty area and went out of play beyond the far post.
Both sides made tactical adjustments after the interval. Egypt brought on Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan for Ahmed Aboul-Fetouh, while Senegal introduced Lamine Camara in place of the booked Habib Diallo.
As the match passed the hour mark, the pattern remained unchanged. Egypt were content to sit deep, allowing Senegal more of the ball while successfully limiting threats on El Shenawy’s goal.
With 15 minutes of normal time remaining, Egypt were yet to register a shot on target or win a corner.
The breakthrough finally came 12 minutes from time. Lamine Camara’s ambitious long-range effort took a deflection and fell kindly to Mane, whose low shot beat El Shenawy and found the back of the net.
The goal sealed Senegal’s passage to another AFCON final and kept their title hopes firmly alive.
AFP
