Egypt are set for a high-octane semi-final clash against Senegal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with the spotlight firmly on Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané, two of the continent’s most influential players of the past decade.
The Pharaohs booked their place in the last four after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Ivory Coast on Saturday night at the Adrar Stadium.
Goals from Omar Marmoush, Rami Rabia and Mohamed Salah sealed the win and set up a mouth-watering encounter with Senegal, who earlier secured qualification with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Mali.
As both teams prepare for the decisive tie scheduled for next Wednesday, statistics suggest that the semi-final will be defined by the duel between Salah and Mané.
Data by Opta highlights the remarkable influence both stars have had in the Africa Cup of Nations over the last ten years.
Senegal captain Sadio Mané leads the chart for goal contributions during this period, registering 19 in total, made up of 10 goals and 9 assists. Mohamed Salah follows closely with 16 contributions, having scored 11 goals and provided 5 assists.
While Mané holds a slight edge overall due to his creativity, Salah stands out as the more prolific scorer, with one more goal than the Lions of Teranga forward.
The semi-final also marks yet another chapter in the rivalry between the two former Liverpool teammates, whose battles at club level have now repeatedly spilled onto the continental stage. Their leadership, experience and decisive quality have often shaped the fortunes of their national teams.
Regardless of the numbers, the outcome of the match will ultimately be decided on the pitch.
