When the pressure was at its highest, Sadio Mané stepped up with a moment of class.
Senegal booked their place in the AFCON 2025 final after Mané’s 78th-minute goal secured a 1–0 victory over Egypt in a tense semi-final clash on Wednesday at the Stade de Tanger in Tangier.
The first half was cagey, with Egypt sitting deep and Senegal probing patiently. Nicolas Jackson came closest before the break, firing just over the bar. Senegal were dealt a blow when captain Kalidou Koulibaly went off injured in the 23rd minute, ruling him out of the final.
After halftime, Senegal controlled possession, and the breakthrough finally came when Mané coolly curled a shot past Mohamed El Shenawy from the edge of the box.
Egypt pushed late, but Edouard Mendy produced a key stoppage-time save to protect the lead.
Named Man of the Match, Mané said Senegal stayed focused and deserved the win. The Lions of Teranga now head into their third AFCON final since 2019, ready for one last battle.
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