Sadio Mané delivered a moment of brilliance to fire Senegal into the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Egypt in Wednesday’s first semifinal.
The former Liverpool forward struck a powerful low shot from the edge of the penalty area in the 78th minute, finding the bottom corner past a helpless Mohamed El Shenawy to break the deadlock and end Egypt’s campaign.
The goal came after a deflected effort from Lamine Camara fell kindly to Mané, who controlled and unleashed a clinical finish worthy of deciding any major match. It was Senegal’s reward for dominating large periods of a tense, tactical encounter at the Grand Stade de Tanger.
Despite the presence of Mohamed Salah in the Egypt lineup, the Pharaohs failed to register a single shot on target or win a corner throughout the 90 minutes, highlighting Senegal’s defensive solidity and control.
Senegal, the 2021 champions, now advance to Sunday’s final on January 18, 2026, where they will face the winner of the second semifinal between hosts Morocco and Nigeria. That match, played later on Wednesday at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, ended goalless after 90 minutes and went to extra time (with no winner confirmed by the latest updates).
Mané’s strike adds to his storied AFCON legacy, having previously scored the decisive penalty in the 2021 final shootout against Egypt and in a World Cup qualifier against the same opponents. For Salah, it marks another heartbreaking exit from the continental showpiece, denying him the AFCON title he has long pursued.
This result sees Senegal one win away from a second AFCON crown in recent years, setting up what promises to be a thrilling finale against either the tournament hosts or the in-form Super Eagles.