Senegal have booked their place in the Africa Cup of Nations final after edging past Egypt in a tense semi-final clash, with Sadio Mané’s solitary strike proving decisive. The match, held on Tuesday night in Tangier, ended 1–0 in favour of Senegal, who now advance to contest the final for the fourth time in the nation’s history.
The encounter was billed as a duel between Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané, two of Africa’s finest footballers. From the outset, Senegal asserted control over possession, limiting Egypt’s opportunities to build sustained attacks. Despite a largely stalemated game, Mané broke the deadlock in the 78th minute with a sublime shot from outside the penalty area, leaving Egyptian goalkeeper unable to respond. Speaking after the match, the 33-year-old Mané reflected on the significance: “This is my final Africa Cup. If we win the final, I will take the trophy back to Dakar.”
Meanwhile, the second semi-final between Morocco and Nigeria, staged in Rabat, remained goalless through regular and extra time. The match was ultimately decided by a penalty shootout, in which Morocco triumphed 4–2. The decisive goal came from forward Youssef En-Nesyri, while goalkeeper Yassine Bounou delivered a series of crucial saves to deny Nigeria key opportunities. Morocco’s coach Walid Regragui expressed his satisfaction following the victory: “Our opponents were extremely strong. I am proud of the players’ performance and the support of the Moroccan people.” The win marks Morocco’s first appearance in the final since 2004.
The details of both semi-finals are summarised in the table below:
| Semi-final Match | Venue | Result | Goal Scorer(s) | Key Moment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senegal vs Egypt | Tangier | 1–0 | Sadio Mané (78′) | Mané’s spectacular strike from outside the box |
| Morocco vs Nigeria | Rabat | 0–0 (4–2 penalties) | Youssef En-Nesyri | Goalkeeper Bounou’s crucial saves during shootout |
The stage is now set for a historic final on Sunday at 1:00 AM, where Senegal will face Morocco for the first time in the Africa Cup of Nations’ history. Anticipation among players and supporters alike is reaching fever pitch, with both sides eager to claim the coveted continental trophy.
Football analysts have highlighted that the presence of both Senegal and Morocco in the final underlines the high competitive standards of African football, showcasing tactical discipline, individual brilliance, and mental resilience. Fans worldwide are now looking forward to a gripping and closely contested championship match.