In a gripping repeat of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations final, the Senegal national football team once again proved too strong for the Egypt national football team, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory to reach the final of the Africa Cup of Nations 2026 tournament.
This latest triumph underlines Senegal’s dominance on the continental stage, extending their remarkable run to 11 wins in their last 12 matches against African opposition.
Cagey First Half with More Drama than Chances
The opening 45 minutes were tense rather than thrilling. Egypt struggled badly in attack, failing to register a single shot in the first half. Senegal controlled possession and territory but lacked a clinical edge.
Goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy was rarely troubled, comfortably dealing with efforts from Habib Diarra and Pape Gueye, while Nicolas Jackson wasted Senegal’s clearest chance by firing well over the bar.
There was concern for Senegal, however, when captain Kalidou Koulibaly was forced off through injury. He and Diarra also picked up yellow cards, meaning suspension would have ruled them out of the final if Senegal failed to progress.
Second-Half Pressure Finally Pays Off
After the break, Senegal continued to press relentlessly. Egypt sat deep, defending in numbers and hoping for a rare counterattack that never truly materialised.
Long-range efforts became Senegal’s main weapon, with substitute Lamine Camara testing El Shenawy, but the breakthrough remained elusive until the 78th minute.
That moment arrived through the brilliance of Sadio Mané. The talisman picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area and unleashed a precise strike to finally beat the Egyptian goalkeeper. It was Mané’s 11th AFCON goal, drawing him level with his former Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah in the competition’s all-time charts.
Comfortable Finish as Egypt Fall Short
Despite conceding, Egypt showed little sign of mounting a comeback. Their attacking struggles continued, and they finished the match with just one shot on target.
Senegal closed out the game with maturity and composure, sealing their place in the AFCON final for the third time in their last five appearances. For Egypt, it was a bitter end to their campaign, missing out on what would have been a record-extending 10th AFCON final.
What This Means for AFCON 2026
Senegal’s consistency and tactical discipline once again underline why they are Africa’s team to beat. As they head into the final full of confidence, the Lions of Teranga will believe another continental crown is firmly within reach.
For fans across Tanzania, this match was a reminder of how fine margins decide games at the highest level of African football.
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