Senegal beats Egypt to win Africa Cup of Nations trophy

Sadio Mane made up for missing from the spot in normal time to score the decisive penalty as Senegal defeated Mohamed Salah’s Egypt 4-2 in a shoot-out to win their first Africa Cup of Nations title after Sunday’s last finished goalless at the end of extra time. Mane had seen Mohamed Abou Gabal save his seventh-minute penalty at the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde however Egypt couldn’t capitalise as they went to extra time for the fourth consecutive game at this Cup of Nations.

Salah was due to step up to take Egypt’s fifth penalty but with Mohamed Abdelmonem hitting the post and Mohanad Lasheen having his kick saved by Edouard Mendy, the Liverpool star didn’t get his opportunity and already on the verge of tears as his club Liverpool team-mate Mane prepared to strike the decisive blow.

“It just shows that if you work hard, if you persevere, you will get what you want,” Senegal coach Aliou Cisse told broadcaster beIN Sports.

“I am very emotional because the people of Senegal have wanted this trophy for 60 years.”

Abou Gabal, who was named man of the match, summed up the Egyptian mood, saying: “We are really disappointed but that’s football, either you win or you lose.”

Egypt had already twice won finals that had been settled on penalties after finishing 0-0, and they had effectively won in the same manner twice in the last fortnight, against the Ivory Coast and Cameroon.