Sadio Mané strike sends Senegal to the AFCON final

Senegal secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Egypt in the semi-final of the Africa Cup of Nations at Grand Stade de Tanger on Wednesday evening.

Habib Diarra was presented with the game’s first real chance in the 8th minute, but his effort at the edge of the area blazed over the bar.

In the 19th minute, Nicolas Jackson could’ve broken the deadlock, but the former Chelsea man blasted his effort well over the bar.

Just past the half-hour mark, Papa Gueye was the next to have his sights at goal, but his low strike was saved by Mohamed El Shenawy.

Egypt’s first sight on goal came just before the break as Mohamed Salah floated in a free-kick, but Yasser Ibrahim couldn’t make contact with the ball.

Both sides made changes at the break, as Senegal brought on Lamine Camara for Habib Diarra and the Pharaohs brought on Trézeguet for Ahmed Abou El Fotouh.

The Teranga Lions continued to boss possession, and substitute Camara had a chance to give them the lead, but his effort was saved by El Shenawy.

In the 78th minute, Sadio Mané finally broke the deadlock when the ball fell kindly to him from 20 yards out, and the Al Nassr man finished past El Shenawy.

Moments later, Papa Gueye could’ve doubled Senegal’s advantage, but he blasted his effort over the bar.

Egypt made a late surge to get the equaliser, but they couldn’t trouble Edouard Mendy in goal.

Senegal will face either Nigeria or Morocco in the final of the AFCON on Sunday.