Senegal Are African Champions
- Senegal 0-0 Egypt (4-2 pens)
- Mane seals historic AFCON title
BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – The Teranga Lions of Senegal are African champions for the first time in their history after seeing off Egypt in an intriguing final of the 2021 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
Overcoming the 2019 disappointment in Egypt, the Teranga Lions were on song to claim their first AFCON title in their third final appearance.
They lifted their long expected continental title beating the Pharaohs of Egypt 4-2 on penalties in Sunday’s pulsating final played at the Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé, the Cameroonian capital city.
The two sides were locked at 0-0 after extra-time but Mane held his nerve in the shoot-out to give his countrymen a well-deserved victory on the night. Early in the game, the striker had squandered the chance to put Senegal ahead inside seven minutes in Yaounde when his penalty was saved by Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal.
As the match wore on with mounting tension, the Senegalese Coach Aliou Cisse switched his attacking formation by drafting fresh legs up front with Bamba Dieng and Boulaye Dia replacing Famara Diedhiou and Sarr in the 77th minute.
The West Africans continued their dominance in extra-time and Dieng came close with a header but it was parried by Abou Gabal for corner-kick. The Marseille striker had another attempt at goal with a superb shot from about 30 yards but it was saved by Gabaski again.
In the 115th minute, it was the Egyptians’ turn to test Edward Mendy, but the Chelsea goalkeeper was equal to the task, palming over Marwan Hamdy’s shot.
As the penalty shootouts beckons, Senegal’s duo of Koulibaly and Abdou Diallo stepped forward to convert the first two attempts in the penalty shoot-out, but Egypt missed their second effort as Abdelmonem’s strike hit the upright.
Gabaski was called to action in saving Bouna Sarr’s effort while Mendy comfortably saved Mohanad Lasheen’s shot with Mane making up for a first-half penalty miss by converting the winning spot-kick in the shoot-out as the West Africans cuddled their maiden African title.
In the absence of suspended Head coach, Carlos Queiroz, former Egypt U20 coach Diaa El Sayed took over the coaching duties and Emam Ashour was the only change made to the Pharaohs’ starting XI that defeated Cameroon in the semi-final.
In this obviously a classic encounter, the Egyptians were attempting a record-extending eighth title in the continental football showpiece.
