Sadio Mane struck late to send Senegal into the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a narrow 1-0 win over Egypt, a result that once again denied Mohamed Salah a shot at continental glory, Afrosport reports.
The decisive moment came 12 minutes from full time in Tangier, when Mane reacted quickest to a loose ball outside the penalty area and calmly swept a low right-footed shot inside the left post in a tight, evenly balanced semi-final.
Pape Thiaw-led Senegal will now prepare to face either Nigeria or hosts Morocco in Sunday’s final.
SENEGAL. FINALISTS. 🇸🇳
The dream lives on.
The Lions of Teranga march into the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 final. pic.twitter.com/IbFdqei0ik— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 14, 2026
The Lions of Teranga will, however, be forced to cope without captain Kalidou Koulibaly and midfielder Habib Diarra, both of whom are suspended after collecting second yellow cards in the knockout phase.
Koulibaly’s availability is further in doubt after he was forced off through injury midway through the first half.
