Sadio Mane goal knocks out Mohamed Salah as Senegal reach Afcon 2025 final
Mohamed Salah’s hopes of finally lifting the Africa Cup of Nations were dashed in Tangier as Sadio Mane’s late goal sent Senegal into the 2025 final with a 1-0 victory over Egypt.
It was Mane, Salah’s former Liverpool team-mate, who struck decisively 12 minutes from time, thumping home the winner in a cagey semi-final that offered little in the way of attacking quality. For Salah, it was another painful night on the international stage, his anguish clear as Egypt’s campaign ended short of their target.
Egypt had arrived in Morocco openly chasing their first Afcon crown since 2010, with Salah in sparkling form and four goals to his name during the tournament. Yet once again, the Pharaohs faltered when it mattered most, repeating the frustrations of 2017 and 2021 when they fell at the final hurdle.
The match unfolded in front of a tense crowd at the Grand Stade de Tangier, with both sides cautious in their approach. Egypt relied heavily on Salah and Omar Marmoush to conjure moments of inspiration, while Senegal looked to Mane’s pace and power to break the deadlock.
Key incidents were few. Salah struggled to find space against a disciplined back line, while Egypt’s midfield offered little service. Mane, meanwhile, carried Senegal’s threat, forcing a save in the first half before delivering the decisive blow late on.
The goal came from a swift Senegal move down the left. Mane collected possession, drove into the box and unleashed a fierce strike that left the goalkeeper rooted. It was a moment of brilliance in an otherwise stale contest, and enough to settle the tie.
Egypt pressed in the closing stages but lacked conviction. Salah dropped deep in search of the ball, yet the final pass was missing. Senegal held firm, their defensive organisation ensuring Mane’s strike would stand as the winner.
Late drama was absent, with Egypt unable to muster a clear chance. The final whistle brought scenes of jubilation for Senegal and despair for Salah, who once again saw his continental ambitions undone by his old team-mate.
For Salah, the defeat cuts deep. At 33, with his Liverpool future uncertain, questions linger over how many more chances he will have to claim Africa’s greatest prize. Egypt now face Nigeria in the third-place play-off, while Senegal march on to Sunday’s final.
Salah’s legacy as Egypt’s greatest player is secure, but without an Afcon title his international career risks ending with a sense of unfinished business. The pursuit continues, though time is running out.