Senegal snatches late winner to break Egypt hearts
Sadio Mane thrashed home a dramatic winner 12 minutes from full-time to send Senegal into the Africa Cup of Nations final after it edged Egypt 1-0 in a tense last-four encounter.
It was as much as Senegal deserved after it dominated the match, with Egypt not having any shots at goal or even forcing a corner before they conceded.
Senegal found it tough, however, to break down a resolute Egypt defence and it was only a fortuitous deflection that set up Mane’s chance.
Yet his shot from the edge of the area was worthy of winning any match and sent Senegal through to take on either host Morocco or Nigeria in Monday's (AEDT) final.
Lamine Camara’s effort from the edge of the area was blocked but it fell to Mane nearby and he wasted no time bulleting the ball along the ground with a grass-cutting shot that gave Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy no chance.
"I was a bit lucky, you have to admit, because the ball came from nowhere," Mane said. "It hit my stomach, it was well-positioned, and I instinctively took a first-time shot."
Senegal probed throughout the game as it tried to force an opening, but opportunities were rare.
Nicolas Jackson, restored to the team, fired a powerful effort over the top in the 19th minute, followed by shots from Habib Diarra and Pape Gueye that provided El Shenawy with routine saves.
In the second half, Senegal continued to dominate possession but was again restricted to speculative efforts from range before Mane’s goal.
But after it scored, it finally prompted Egypt to push forward with three strikers brought on in a late, and desperate, bid to get back into the game.
Omar Marmoush's shot in stoppage time, which Edouard Mendy saved, was their only effort of substance.
"We totally deserved this victory," Senegal defender Moussa Niakhate said.
"We prevented them from playing their game. We were determined to impose our style of play. When we're at this level, we're very strong."
Defeat ended Mohamed Salah’s hopes of securing a first title with his national team with the Liverpool star having little impact on the game. He had twice been a losing finalist at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Senegal lost captain Kalidou Koulibaly to a groin injury midway through the first half but not before he had been booked for a foul on Omar Marmoush, which ruled him out of the final.
Diarra, who plays for Sunderland in the Premier League, was also booked for a second successive game and is suspended for the decider.
