Sadio Mané once again proved decisive against his former Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah, firing Senegal into the final of the Africa Cup of Nations with a tense 1–0 victory over Egypt that extended the Teranga Lions’ recent dominance over the Pharaohs.
The semi-final in Rabat had been framed as a personal duel between Mané and Salah, two icons whose rivalry has repeatedly defined high-stakes encounters between Senegal and Egypt. Before kick-off, the pair shared a warm embrace in the tunnel, but any sentimentality quickly evaporated once the match began.
Senegal controlled the first half, monopolising possession and pinning Egypt deep in their own half, yet struggled to turn dominance into clear chances. Ismaïla Sarr and Nicolas Jackson were denied from close range, while efforts from Pape Gueye and Habib Diarra failed to seriously test goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy. Egypt, organised in a compact back five, relied almost entirely on Salah and Omar Marmoush to spark counter-attacks.
The opening period was fractious, punctuated by frequent stoppages and yellow cards. Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly was booked early and later forced off with a groin injury, ending his tournament and handing the captain’s armband to Mané.
Tempers flared when Salah appeared to catch Mané with a high boot in midfield, provoking protests from both teams and brief touchline confrontations. By half-time, frustration rather than goals defined a combustible contest.
Senegal maintained their grip after the break, circulating the ball patiently as Egypt retreated even deeper. The breakthrough finally arrived through Mané, who once again delivered on the biggest stage against his old clubmate. A blocked shot fell kindly to him at the edge of the area, and after controlling with his chest, he unleashed a powerful strike through a defender’s legs and into the bottom corner, leaving El Shenawy rooted.
Egyptian players immediately protested, claiming a handball in the build-up, but a VAR review upheld the goal, triggering jubilant celebrations among Senegal supporters. With Senegalese-American pop star Akon leading the festivities in the stands, the Teranga Lions sensed another chapter in a familiar story.
Egypt pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but their attacking intent came too late. A weak header from substitute Mostafa Mohamed in the closing stages marked their first shot of the match, underlining a subdued attacking display. Senegal, by contrast, nearly doubled their lead as Pape Gueye fired wide from close range.
At the final whistle, Senegal’s players swarmed around Mané, while Salah sank to the turf in visible disappointment. The result sends Senegal to their third AFCON final in the last four editions and gives Mané the chance to lift a second continental title on Sunday.
For Salah, the wait for a first AFCON crown continues. Once again, it was Mané who stood in his way, sending Senegal through at Egypt’s expense and reinforcing a rivalry that continues to shape African football’s biggest moments.
