Sadio Mane scored the winner as Senegal beat Egypt to reach the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) – and end Mohamed Salah’s hopes of winning his first continental title in Morocco.
Mane struck the only goal of a cagey contest with 12 minutes remaining in Tangier, firing a right-footed shot inside the left-hand upright after the ball broke to him outside the box.
It marks the third occasion that the Senegal forward has got the better of his former Liverpool team-mate in a high-stakes international match.
Both of those previous wins came four years ago, as the West Africans beat the Pharaohs on penalties in both the final of the 2021 Afcon and a play-off for the 2022 Fifa World Cup.
Salah had scored four goals in Egypt’s run to the semi-finals but was largely anonymous as the North Africans failed to test Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy until Omar Marmoush had a long-range effort saved in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Pape Thiaw’s side will face either Nigeria or Morocco in the final on Sunday (19:00 GMT), with the West Africans taking on the hosts in Wednesday’s second semi-final in Rabat (20:00 GMT).
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