AFCON 2021: Senegal and Egypt road to the AFCON final
Out of the 24 participants in AFCON 2021, only two teams can make it to the final. Senegal and Egypt are the last teams standing, and they face later today, 20.00 WAT at Olembe stadium for the gold medal.
While Egypt has won the title seven times, Senegal are yet to taste the AFCON glory, losing to Cameroon in the 2002 AFCON and Algeria in the 2019 AFCON final. Can Senegal finally win the title?
Comparing both teams run to the final of the continental showpiece, Senegal had it relatively easy.
Their run to the final was against team that were not considered favorites. Egypt on the other hand faced tough challenge against Ivory Coast, Morocco, and Cameroon on their road to the final.
Arguably, Senegal true test in the tournament is in their final AFCON 2021 match against the Pharaohs.
Both Senegal and Egypt had a slow start to the tournament with Senegal only able to garner five points, and Egypt, six points after losing to the Super Eagles in their first match.
Senegal defeated Zimbabwe in their first match with Mane scoring the only goal of the game from the penalty spot in the 97 minute.
Their second and third game against Guinea and Malawi respectively ends in stalemate. The West African progress to the Round of 16 as group leaders with five points.
Egypt qualified to the next round of the tournament as second best in Group D with 6 points after losing 0-1 to Nigeria in their first game- Kelechi Iheanacho scored the only goal of the game in the 30th minute.
They defeated Guinea-Bissau in the second game through Mohamed Salah lone goal in the 69th minute. Their 1-0 victory against Sudan through Mohamed Abdelmonem in the 35 minute earn them the much needed 6 points to progress to the round of 16.
While Egypt faced a tough challenge against Ivory Coast in the round of 16, Senegal passage to the quarterfinals was relatively easy as they defeated 10-man Blue Sharks 2-0 through Sadio Mane goal in the 63rd minute and Bamba dieng in the 92 minute.
Egypt waited till penalties to defeat Ivory Coast 5-4 after playing 0-0 in the extra-time. Egypt also waited till extra time to defeat Morocco 2-1 in the quarterfinals.
Boufal put the Atlas Lions ahead after 7 minutes from the penalty spot before Salah leveled the score in the 53 minute. Trezeguet goal in the 100 minute was enough to send the North African giant to the semi-finals where they faced another tough challenge against Cameroon.
Senegal faced a relatively lesser challenge in the quarterfinals when they thrashed the Nzalang Nacional 3-1 with Famara Diedhiou 28’, Cheikhou Kouyate 68’ and Ismaila Sarr, 79’ on the score sheet. Equatorial Guinea only goal in the game came after 57 minutes through Jannnick Buyla.
While Senegal had it too easy against Burkina Faso in the semi-final, Egypt waited once again till penalties to defeat the hosts in the semi-final.
After playing 0-0 in normal duration, Egypt defeated the Indomitable Lions 3-1 on penalties to progress to the final with Gabaski, Egypt goalkeeper pulling two spectacular saves.
The Teranga Lions stroll past the Stallions 3-1, to progress to the AFCON final for two consecutive times.
Senegal and Egypt will lock horns later today, 20.00 WAT to battle for the gold medal. Senegal have never won the AFCON title, while Egypt has won it seven times.
