Senegal secured their place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Egypt on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at the Tangier Grand Stadium in Morocco.
In a match defined by tactical discipline and high stakes, the Teranga Lions relied on their talismanic forward, Sadio Mané, to break the deadlock in the 78th minute.
The goal came after a period of sustained pressure, as Mané found a pocket of space on the edge of the penalty area and unleashed a precise right-footed strike that bypassed the Egyptian defense.
This decisive moment sent the Senegalese supporters into a frenzy and ensured that the defending champions would have the opportunity to compete for another continental title.
The victory also marks yet another chapter in the intense rivalry between Senegal and Egypt, repeating the outcome of the 2021 final and further cementing Senegal’s current era of dominance in African football while leaving Mohamed Salah’s side to contest the third-place play-off later this week.
Throughout the encounter, Senegal maintained the majority of possession, dictated the tempo of the game, and successfully neutralized Egypt’s counter-attacking threats.
The Pharaohs, led by Salah, struggled to find their rhythm against a resolute Senegalese backline that restricted them to just one shot on target during the entire ninety minutes.
By reaching the final for the fourth time in their history—following appearances in 2002, 2019, and 2021—Senegal has confirmed their status as the continent’s most consistent powerhouse.
They now look forward to the tournament’s climax on Sunday, where they will face the winner of the second semi-final between Nigeria and the host nation, Morocco.
