The ex-Liverpool man netted the only goal of the game in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final as Senegal advances at the expense of Egypt, ending Mohamed Salah's dreams
18:57, 14 Jan 2026Updated 19:22, 14 Jan 2026
Sadio Mane celebrates his goal for Senegal
Sadio Mane scored the only goal of the game as Senegal beat Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final(Image: )
Sadio Mane once again proved to be the scourge of Mohamed Salah at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with his late goal in Wednesday's semi-final ensuring Senegal, not Egypt, will compete in Sunday's final.
It was Mane who famously netted the decisive spot-kick in the 2021 final shootout to win AFCON and deny Salah the chance of claiming the one piece of silverware he admits he craves most. But that remains a fantasy still after Senegal emerged victorious from a one-sided meeting in Tangier.
Salah can have little complaints about the outcome given Egypt failed to produce a shot on target inside the regular 90 minutes and almost exclusively defended. In fact, it took until Mane's 78th minute winner for Egypt to muster any shot whatsoever.
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Throughout the game, the 33-year-old former Red showed flashes of the destructive qualities Liverpool fans became used to during his six years at Anfield, and when the ball dropped to Mane at the edge of the box late on, he instinctively powered it beyond Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.
It was rich reward for a game Senegal dominated. Prior to the Mane's goal, the 2021 champions had amassed 70 percent possession.
But it was limited to chances from deep, with Nicolas Jackson, Pape Gueye and Lamine Camara providing decent efforts from distance.
Salah has readily acknowledged the dearth of quality in the Egyptian ranks in comparison to the continent’s elite nations, and that was evident as Hossam Hassan’s side set up in a resolute and organized manner.
Sadio Mane celebrates scoring in the AFCON semi-final
Mane once again crushed Salah's AFCON dream(Image: )
It limited the quality and entertainment of the contest. That up until Mane's winner, the biggest talking point was a touchline disagreement told its own story.
That was caused by an innocuous challenge form Salah on his former Liverpool teammate near the end of a tepid 45 minutes.
The pair, who endured a fractured relationship during their time at Anfield, embraced in the tunnel ahead of the game and it felt inevitable one would provide decisive moment. That it was Mane, will make only add to Salah's melancholy.
Mohamed Salah fouls Sadio Mane
Mohamed Salah's foul on Sadio Mane caused a touchline disagreement in the AFCON semi-final(Image: Getty Images)
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Having defended for so long, Egypt did attempt to find a late equalizer with Mostafa Mohamed heading over, before Omar Marmoush produced the Pharaohs' first shot on target in injury-time.
Senegal celebrated wildly when the full-time whistle was blown moments later; they move on to Sunday's final where Nigeria or hosts Morocco will provide opposition.
There were no tears at the game's conclusion from Salah, who will surely wonder whether his final AFCON opportunity has passed him by. He stood in quiet disbelief on the pitch, contemplating the thought of his old adversary lifting the trophy once again.