Senegal secured their place in the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final after defeating Egypt 1-0 in a tightly contested semi-final at the Grand Stadium in Tangiers, Morocco on Tuesday. Sadio Mane proved to be the hero for the Teranga Lions, scoring a stunning goal in the 78th minute to break the deadlock and send his nation through to their third AFCON final in the last four tournaments.
The winning goal came after a blocked shot from Pape Gueye Camara fell to Mane at the edge of the penalty area. The ball bounced off his chest, with Egyptian players appealing for handball, before sitting up perfectly for the former Liverpool star. Mane then unleashed a powerful right-footed shot that flew into the bottom left corner, beating Egyptian goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy with ease.
Senegal dominated possession throughout the match against a cautious Egyptian side that appeared content to sit deep and absorb pressure. The Pharaohs employed a defensive strategy, seemingly playing for a goalless draw that would have taken the match to extra time. However, one moment of individual brilliance from Mane was all it took to shatter Egypt's hopes of reaching their first AFCON final since 2017.
The semi-final was a repeat of the 2021 AFCON final, which Senegal won on penalties after a goalless draw in Cameroon. That victory gave Senegal their first-ever continental title, and Tuesday's result demonstrated their continued dominance over their North African rivals in major tournament encounters. Egypt have now lost three consecutive AFCON matches against Senegal, including two finals and this semi-final.
For Egypt, the defeat marks a disappointing end to their tournament campaign. The seven-time African champions will now contest the third-place playoff for the first time since 1984, a stark contrast to their recent history of deep tournament runs. Egyptian coach Rui Vitoria's conservative tactics ultimately backfired as his team created few meaningful chances against the Senegalese defense.
Senegal will face either hosts Morocco or Nigeria in Sunday's final, with that semi-final taking place later on Tuesday evening. The Teranga Lions are now favorites to claim their second AFCON title in four years, having established themselves as the dominant force in African football. Coach Aliou Cisse's side has now reached three finals since 2019, winning one and losing one on penalties.
The victory caps an impressive tournament campaign for Senegal, who have conceded just one goal throughout the competition while scoring eight. Mane's decisive strike adds to his legacy as one of the greatest African players of his generation, and he will be looking to lead his nation to glory once more on Sunday in what promises to be a spectacular final in front of a passionate Moroccan crowd.
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