Few matchups in the Africa Cup of Nations carry the intensity and history of Senegal versus Egypt. Tomorrow’s semi-final in Tangier is about more than a spot in the final—it’s a clash of pride, legacy, and the chance to tip the balance in a rivalry that has spanned four decades.
Senegal and Egypt will meet for the sixth time at AFCON, with their head-to-head record remarkably even. In five previous encounters, both sides have claimed two wins each, with one game ending in a draw.
The rivalry stretches back to 1986, when Senegal stunned hosts Egypt with a 1–0 victory. The Pharaohs responded in the 2000 and 2002 group stages, while the stakes intensified in 2006 when Egypt edged Senegal in a semi-final. Senegal, however, claimed their first AFCON title in 2021 after a tense final that ended goalless and was decided by penalties.
A striking trend adds extra weight to this semi-final: every team to defeat the other in a knockout AFCON match has gone on to lift the trophy. Egypt in 2006, Senegal in 2021—history suggests tomorrow’s winner could be lifting the cup.
Beyond AFCON, Egypt maintain a narrow advantage in overall meetings: seven wins to Senegal’s six, with two draws. Yet recent high-pressure encounters have swung in Senegal’s favor, including the 2021 AFCON final and a 2022 World Cup qualifier in Cairo, both decided by penalties.
At the heart of this showdown are Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané. Former Liverpool teammates, they now lead rival nations. Salah has faced Senegal five times without scoring, while Mané has found the net once and generally enjoyed more success. In this tournament, both have been pivotal, with Salah slightly ahead in goal contributions.
Tomorrow marks only the second AFCON semi-final meeting between these sides since Egypt’s narrow triumph 20 years ago. Senegal enters unbeaten in 16 AFCON games, while Egypt boast a formidable semi-final record, having reached the final in nine of their last 13 appearances and never failing to progress since 1984.
With history, talent, and stakes so high, this semi-final promises to be another classic—one team edging closer to African football immortality.
