Senegal Beat Egypt On Penalties To Win AFCON For The First Time In Their History
Sadio Mane scored the decisive penalty in a nail-biting shootout as Senegal overcame Egypt to be crowned this year’s Africa Cup of Nations champions.
The Liverpool attacker had a spot-kick saved by Egypt goalkeeper Gabaski in only the seventh minute in Yaounde, Cameroon, but recovered to help Senegal win the trophy for the first time in their history.
Aliou Cisse’s men, who beat Burkina Faso in Wednesday’s semi-final, were deserving victors after dominating possession and chances at the Olembe Stadium.
Cameroon, this year’s hosts, sealed third place 24 hours earlier after coming from three goals down to beat Burkina Faso on penalties.
Egypt got off to a nightmare start as Mohamed Abdelmonem brought Saliou Ciss down with a clumsy challenge inside the box in only the fourth minute, but the impressive Gabaski saved Mane’s resulting penalty to keep it all square.
Senegal, the pre-tournament favourites, continued to dominate possession in the early stages and Egypt had to wait until the 28th minute for their first real opportunity of the contest.
Mohamed Salah, quiet until that moment, made the chance out of nothing as he wriggled past several Senegal defenders to get off a shot on target, but his tame strike was comfortably saved by Edouard Mendy.
The Lions of Teranga had Mendy to thank once again in the 43rd minute, with the Chelsea goalkeeper alert to deny a powerful strike from Salah with an excellent stop at his near post.