The 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations comes to an end in grand style as Senegal take on Egypt in the final at Olembe’s Paul Biya Stadium on Saturday night with kickoff at 22:00.
Despite making a slow start to the AFCON, which saw them win just one of their three group stage matches, Senegal have found a way through to the final with the team getting better as the tournament progressed.
The Lions of Teranga remain unbeaten the competition and have won all their knockout stage matches in regular time, including 3-1 victory against Burkina Faso in the semi-finals. Alou Cisse’s side struggled to create chances in the group stage, but the goals have flowed freely in the knockout stage, scoring up to eight goals in three knockout matches with Sadio Mane leading the line with three goals and two assists.
Senegal now find themselves in their third AFCON final and are still seeking their first ever title, losing to Algeria in the most recent final in 2019, but they will fancy their chances of clinching the title this time around given their performances in the knockout stages, their team spirit and are more fresh then their opponents.
Meanwhile Egypt have not been overly impressive in this year’s AFCON campaign whit the side opening the competition with a defeat to Nigeria and proceeded to advance through the group stages in the runners-up place in Group D.
The Pharaohs needed extra-time in all three knockout games so far, including the two penalty shootouts in the last 16 and the semifinals, although they deserve a bit of praise as they have come through a difficult rout having to overcome the likes of Morocco, Ivory Coast and Cameroon.
Egypt now will be looking to conquer the continent for a seventh time now, but they are coming up an inform Senegal who they have struggled against in recent meetings between the teams, losing each of their last two encounters and three of the last five since 2002.
All said this game promises to be a nerve-racking showdown as we get to see two of Liverpool’s leading forwards in Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah lock horns for continental glory.
Senegal vs Egypt head to head
Both sides have met in three encounters since 2006 with Senegal claiming two victories while Egypt have claimed one victory.
- Egypt 0-1 Senegal 15/11/14
- Senegal 2-0 Egypt 06/09/14
- Egypt 2-1 Senegal 07/02/06
Home
- Burkina Faso 1-3 Senegal
- Senegal 3-1 Equatorial Guinea
- Senegal 2-0 Cape Verde
- Malawi 0-0 Senegal
- Senegal 0-0 Guinea
Away
- Cameroon 1-3 Egypt (AP)
- Egypt 2-1 Morocco (OT)
- Ivory Coast 4-5 Egypt (AP)
- Egypt 1-0 Sudan
- Guinea-Bissau 0-1 Egypt
Senegal team news
Senegal have no injury or suspension concerns ahead of the clash.
Egypt team news
Egypt also have no injury or suspension concerns ahead of the final.
Prediction and odds
- Senegal win
- Game to go to extra time
- Both sides to score
