Senegal secured their place in the AFCON final with a tense 1-0 victory over regional rivals Egypt. Sadio Mane proved the difference, striking from distance in the 78th minute to settle a fiery semi-final contest. The win gives Senegal a shot at their second consecutive title, having defeated this same Egyptian side to win the trophy in 2021.

Mane got the better of his former Liverpool team-mate Mohamed Salah, who was kept quiet for large parts of the match. Salah will now face a third-place play-off, delaying his return to Anfield. Senegal’s control throughout the match highlights their status as a dominant force in African football, consistently reaching the latter stages of the tournament.

Egypt must regroup quickly for the bronze medal match against the loser of the Nigeria vs Morocco semi-final. For Senegal, the focus shifts to the final in Casablanca, where they will face either the hosts or the Super Eagles. This rivalry continues to define the current era of continental football.