Former champions Senegal dominated possession against a defensive Egypt to reach Sunday’s final, where they will face either hosts Morocco or Nigeria. This result continues Senegal’s recent supremacy over the Pharaohs, repeating their 2022 AFCON and World Cup play-off successes. Egypt captain Mohamed Salah was effectively neutralized, leaving him still seeking a trophy after five tournament attempts.
The victory carried a heavy price for Senegal. Captain Kalidou Koulibaly received a yellow card that rules him out of the final, shortly before suffering an injury that forced his substitution. The first half was tense and cagey, sparked only by heated exchanges between the rival benches.
Despite Egypt’s strategy to absorb pressure, they failed to register a shot on target. Senegal finally broke the resistance with twelve minutes remaining. An ambitious long-range attempt from substitute Lamine Camara deflected into the path of Sadio Mané, who clinically fired home the decisive, low winner.