Liverpool’s Salah and Mane will face off each other at the AFCON 2021 Finals that would be played on Sunday 6th February 2022 at the Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé, capital of Cameroon by 07:00 CAT.
Egypt overcame Cameroon in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw to set up an Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal. Goalkeeper Gabaski was the hero, saving two penalties as Egypt edged Cameroon in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw.
In the first 90 minutes, hosts Cameroon had shown more urgency, hitting the post twice with Michael Ngadeu-looping Ngadjui’s header and Samuel Gouet’s thundering long-range shot, which glanced the woodwork.
For much of the game, Egypt’s star player Salah was kept quiet, looping a strike from outside the box narrowly over and almost benefitting from a sloppy back ball, but he could not convert.
Cameroon, on the other hand, missed three of their attempts in the shootout, with Gabaski saving from Harold Moukoudi and James Lea Siliki, while Clinton N’Jie side-footed wide.
After an acrimonious end to normal time, Egypt coach Carlos Queiroz was hauled out for arguing with the referee, and his assistant Wael Gomaa was also cautioned.
Because Gomaa was also yellow carded in the quarter-final against Morocco, they will both be unavailable for the final.
Meanwhile, in the third/fourth-place play-off, Cameroon will meet Burkina Faso, which has been moved up a day to Saturday (19:00 GMT).
Egypt exacts vengeance on Cameroon
With record seven-time winners Egypt up against Cameroon, this was a match between the two most successful teams in the competition’s history.
The hosts had won five times previously, the most recent being in 2017 when they defeated Thursday’s opponents 2-1 in the final, but Egypt avenged themselves this time.
The final will be the first of three encounters between Egypt and Senegal over the next two months, as they compete in a two-legged play-off for a place at the World Cup in Qatar.
The encounter had a fiery build-up, with Cameroon veteran and current football federation president Samuel Eto’o referring to the game as a “war” in a speech.
However, Egypt’s president, Queiroz, thought it sent a “poor message,” especially when eight people died and 38 others were injured in a crush at the Olembe Stadium.
Salah had a chance to score in the second half when he latched onto a sloppy backpass and was denied by goalkeeper Andre Onana, who flew out of his area.
As the game entered extra time, Karl Toko Ekambi’s looping header was straight at Gabaski, while Gouet’s thunderous drive came dangerously close.
Middlesbrough midfielder Lea Siliki’s free-kick from outside the box came close to landing on the roof of the net, but the game was decided on penalties.
Gabaski, who stepped in when Egypt’s first-choice goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy got injured in their last-16 triumph over Ivory Coast, was the hero as his team won their sixth consecutive shootout to advance.
Senegal thrash Burkina Faso 2-1 to reach AFCON Final
Senegal defeated Burkina Faso 3-1 to advance to the final. Sadio Mane set up one goal and scored the other.
Senegal defeated Burkina Faso 3-1 in the final 20 minutes to earn their place in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final on Sunday.
Abdou Diallo scored from close range after a corner in the 70th minute of Wednesday’s first semi-final, which was contested at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde, Cameroon’s capital. Bamba Dieng increased Senegal’s lead six minutes later.
Burkina Faso’s Blati Toure pulled a goal back in the 82nd minute to make it 2-1, but Sadio Mane added a final flourish five minutes later with a breakaway goal to restore Senegal’s two-goal advantage as their talent triumphed over a valiant Burkinabe squad.
Senegal, who finished second in the previous edition in 2019, will face either Cameroon or Egypt in the final. On Thursday at 19:00 GMT, the second semi-final will be held at Yaounde’s Olembe Stadium.
The final will be a great match to watch as Liverpool’s Salah And Mane will keep clubside friendship aside and work hard that night to make their respective country’s proud.
