Senegal Crowned 2021 AFCON Champions

Posted by: Kyeyune Andrew Jonathan in International Football February 7, 2022

Senegal football national team the AFCON final match against Egypt to emerge the champions of 2021 in Cameroon. Senegal won the match 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw following extra time at Olembe stadium.

This is Senegal’s first-ever AFCON victory after reaching the finals on two occasions but failing to win the title.

Their first run for the title happened way back in 2002 and then they reached the finals again in 2019, and are now finally lifting the trophy.

This win saw the champions walk away with a cash prize of $5 million.

Sunday night’s final became the first time ever for the teams to face each other at the finals stage of the tournament.

They previously faced each other six times in the tournament’s history, but Senegal still had the upper hand having won four of those encounters.

Sadio Mane overcame Mohammed Salah in the battle of Liverpool’s superstars to help Senegal get their first AFCON victory. The rivalry between Liverpool’s duo dominated the build-up to the final and came to the fore within six minutes.

The referee awarded Senegal a penalty after a clumsy challenge by Mohamed Abdelmoneim’s reckless challenge on Saliou Ciss.

There were two minutes between the decision and Mane’s attempt so Salah briefed his goalkeeper Gabaski on where his Liverpool teammate would strike.

This Salah intervention worked as Mane struck the ball directly at the keeper, who made the save. Egypt’s game plan would have been ripped had Mane scored.

Senegal played a more advantageous style but lacked the imagination to work clear chances. When they found openings, Gabaski excelled making it feel like the Egyptian keeper had relished the possibility of spot-kicks.

That’s however no surprise as Egypt had been the penalty masters defeating Ivory Coast and Cameroon earlier in the tournament.

Their luck ran out when it mattered after Abdelmoneim struck the post. And although Senegal’s Bourna Sarr shot got saved, Mendy facilitated Mane’s shot at redemption.

This time the Liverpool man took no chances as he struck low and fiercely to the right sparking joyous scenes in the stadium.

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