eranga Lions overcome Egypt 1-0 in tense semi-final but lose captain Kalidou Koulibaly for championship match.
A moment of brilliance from Sadio Mané sent Senegal back to the Africa Cup of Nations final, but their hard-fought 1-0 victory over Egypt in Tangier was overshadowed by the devastating loss of captain Kalidou Koulibaly for the championship match.
The Al-Nassr FC star broke through Egypt’s stubborn defense in the 78th minute, unleashing a powerful low shot that finally beat goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and sent Senegalese fans into rapturous celebration at the Grand Stade de Tanger.
Mané’s heroic moment came at significant cost for the defending champions. Captain Koulibaly’s tournament ended in heartbreak after just 23 minutes when an injury forced him off the field, compounding his earlier yellow card that carried an automatic suspension for the final. Midfielder Habib Diarra will also miss the championship match after receiving a late booking for dissent.
The tense semi-final saw few clear chances, with Egypt’s organized defense frustrating Senegal for most of the match. The Pharaohs’ best opportunity came just before halftime when Mohamed Salah’s dangerous free-kick whistled through a crowded penalty area. Tensions briefly boiled over when Salah fouled his former Liverpool teammate Mané, requiring intervention from both coaches to calm the situation.
Despite controlling possession and registering 11 shots, Senegal struggled to create clear openings until Mané’s decisive intervention. Egypt mounted a desperate late push, including a saved effort from Omar Marmoush in stoppage time, but couldn’t find an equalizer.
The Teranga Lions will now face either Morocco or Nigeria in the final, but will have to defend their title without their inspirational captain and defensive leader, presenting a major challenge as they seek back-to-back AFCON championships.
Similar Posts:
- Nigeria and Morocco Clash in High-Stakes AFCON Semi-Final
- Egypt Survive Major Scare to Edge Past Benin in AFCON Extra-Time Thriller
- Mohamed Salah Returns to Liverpool for Treatment as Egypt Faces Uncertain AFCON Future
- Ndiaye Tap-In Sends Senegal to AFCON Semifinals as Mali’s Ill-Discipline Proves Costly Again
- Egypt Books Knockout Ticket in Gritty Victory, South Africa Left Frustrated
