Senegal advanced to the Africa Cup of Nations final with a 1-0 victory over Egypt in the semi-finals, thanks to a late goal from Sadio Mane. The match in Tangier was marked by a scrappy first half disrupted by injuries and limited scoring chances. Egypt mounted late pressure but could not equalize.
The Africa Cup of Nations semi-final between Senegal and Egypt took place on January 14, 2026, in Tangier, with kick-off at 5pm UK time. Senegal lined up with Edouard Mendy in goal, defended by Bouna Sarr Diatta, Kalidou Koulibaly, Nayef Aguerd Niakhate, and Edimilson Fernandes Diouf, midfielded by Habib Diarra, Idrissa Gueye, and Pape Gueye, and attacked by Ismaïla Ndiaye, Sadio Mane, and Nicolas Jackson. Egypt started with Mohamed El Shenawy in goal, backed by Mohamed Hany, Yasser Ibrahim, Ahmed Rabia, and Ali Gabr Fatouh, with midfielders Amr Attia, Hossam Abdelmaguid, Hamdy Fathy, and Marwan Attia Ashour, and forwards Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush.
The first half was disjointed, with early fouls from Marmoush and Gueye. Senegal pressed through Jackson and Mane but struggled to break through, generating chances like a seventh-minute corner from Diarra that drifted wide, Jackson firing over in the 19th minute, and shots from Pape Gueye and Diarra saved by El Shenawy. Injuries disrupted play: Koulibaly received treatment twice and was substituted by Mamadou Sarr in the 23rd minute after heavy challenges; Jackson and Abdelmaguid also collided requiring attention.
Egypt relied on Salah and Marmoush for transitions but lacked consistent delivery. At halftime, Senegal introduced Lamine Camara, while Egypt brought on Trezeguet for width.
Senegal's strongest period came around the 56th to 58th minutes, with Camara forcing a save and earning corners. The decisive moment arrived in the 78th minute when Mane struck from outside the box into the bottom corner, securing a 1-0 lead. Senegal then adopted a defensive posture, substituting Ismaila Sarr and Cherif Ndiaye for coverage.
Egypt pushed forward in the closing stages, with Marmoush forcing a save from Mendy in stoppage time and Zizo's follow-up blocked. Mostafa Mohamed headed over from a corner during five minutes of added time. Senegal held firm, winning fouls and restricting Egypt to distant shots, clinching their final spot.
Prior to the match, Senegal had scored 11 goals in five AFCON games with three clean sheets, while Egypt conceded in four of theirs and managed just one goal against Senegal in their last five meetings.
