Senegal snatch late winner to down Egypt and reach Africa Cup of Nations final

Sadio Mane thrashed home a dramatic winner 12 minutes from fulltime to send Senegal into the Africa Cup of Nations final after they edged Egypt 1-0 in a tense last-four encounter on Wednesday.

It was as much as Senegal deserved after they dominated the match, with Egypt, spearheaded by talisman Mohamed Salah, not having any shots at goal or even forcing a corner before they conceded.

Senegal found it tough, however, to break down a resolute Egypt defence and it was only a fortuitous deflection that set up Mane’s chance.

Yet his shot from the edge of the area was worthy of winning any match and sent Senegal through to take on either hosts Morocco or Nigeria in Sunday’s final.

Lamine Camara’s effort from the edge of the area was blocked but it fell to Mane nearby and he wasted no time bulleting the ball along the ground with a grass-cutting shot that gave Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy no chance.

"I was a bit lucky, you have to admit, because the ball came from nowhere," said Mane. "It hit my stomach, it was well-positioned, and I instinctively took a first-time shot."

Senegal probed throughout the game as they tried to force an opening, but opportunities were rare.

Nicolas Jackson, restored to the team, fired a powerful effort over the top in the 19th minute, followed by shots from Habib Diarra and Pape Gueye that drew routine saves from El Shenawy.

In the second half, Senegal continued to dominate possession but were again restricted to speculative efforts from range before Mane’s goal.

EGYPT CHANGED APPROACH AFTER CONCEDING

But after they scored, it finally prompted Egypt to push forward with three strikers brought on in a late, and desperate, bid to get back into the game.

Omar Marmoush's shot in stoppage time, which Edouard Mendy saved, was their only effort of substance.

"We totally deserved this victory," said Senegal defender Moussa Niakhate. "We prevented them from playing their game. We were determined to impose our style of play. When we're at this level, we're very strong."

Defeat ended Salah’s hopes of securing a first title with his national team with the Liverpool star having little impact on the game. He had twice been a losing finalist at the Cup of Nations.

Senegal lost captain Kalidou Koulibaly to a groin injury midway through the first half but not before he had been booked for a foul on Marmoush, which ruled him out of the final.

Diarra, who plays for Sunderland in the Premier League, was also booked for a second successive game and is suspended for Sunday’s decider.

Morocco and Nigeria were meeting in Rabat later on Wednesday.

(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Tangiers, Morocco; Editing by Toby Davis)