The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has delivered another heavy night of African football drama, and this time it was Senegal who had the final smile. Under the bright lights of the Grand Stade de Tangier on January 14, Senegal booked their place in the AFCON 2025 final after grinding out a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Egypt in a tense semi-final clash.
It was not pretty. It was not easy. But it was classic AFCON football — patience, discipline, small margins, and one moment of brilliance.
From kickoff, both teams showed respect for each other. Egypt, Africa’s most decorated nation, came into the match knowing how to survive pressure. Senegal, hungry for another continental crown, played with controlled aggression, refusing to rush the game.
The first real scare came early. In the 16th minute, Iliman Ndiaye broke free and shaped to shoot from the edge of the box, aiming for the top corner. Just when it looked dangerous, Rami Rabia stepped in with a crucial block that summed up Egypt’s defensive mindset for the night. No risks. No nonsense.
Moments later, Senegal suffered a setback that would shape the rest of the game. Captain Kalidou Koulibaly picked up a yellow card in the 17th minute — a booking that automatically rules him out of Sunday’s AFCON final. As if that was not enough, the experienced defender was forced off with injury six minutes later, replaced by Mamadou Sarr. Losing your leader and defensive anchor in one half is never easy, especially at this level.
But Senegal did not panic.
Sadio Mané, wearing both leadership and responsibility, kept pushing his side forward. In the 24th minute, he nearly opened the scoring after meeting a dangerous cross from Ndiaye, only for Yasser Ibrahim to react quickly and clear the danger. Egypt’s defence, once again, stood firm.
The game remained tight, physical, and emotional. Ndiaye continued to trouble Egypt’s backline with his pace and direct runs, but every Senegalese attack seemed to meet a last-ditch clearance or well-timed interception. Just before halftime, Habib Diarra also picked up a yellow card, ruling him out of the final — another blow Senegal will have to manage.
Tempers flared on the touchline late in the first half as both coaching benches clashed in a heated exchange. In a rare sight, Mané stepped in to calm things down, playing peacemaker before order was restored. It was a reminder of the pressure surrounding this semi-final and what was at stake.
After the break, Senegal raised the tempo. They pressed higher, won second balls, and forced Egypt deeper into their own half. Mané tested goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy from a free kick shortly after the hour mark, but the Egyptian shot-stopper was alert.
Then came the moment that decided it all.
Late in the second half, with Egypt holding on and hoping for extra time, Sadio Mané finally found the breakthrough. Calm under pressure, the Senegalese forward delivered the decisive goal that sent the Lions of Teranga into wild celebrations and silenced the Egyptian bench. It was a captain’s goal. A big-game goal. The kind that defines tournaments.
Egypt tried to respond, but Senegal managed the closing stages with maturity, experience, and tactical discipline. When the final whistle blew, it was clear: Senegal were heading to the AFCON 2025 final.
Mané was rightly named Man of the Match, not just for the goal, but for his leadership, work rate, and influence throughout the contest.
For Egypt, it was heartbreak once again at the semi-final stage. For Senegal, it was belief reinforced. Even without Koulibaly in the final, they now stand one game away from lifting Africa’s biggest football prize.
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AFCON 2025 continues to deliver. And Senegal are now just 90 minutes away from history.
