The battle of the Liverpool heroes went the way of Sadio Mane when his Senegal side beat Mohamed Salah's Egypt 1-0 in the African Cup of Nations semi-final on Wednesday. The attacking duo spent years together in Jurgen Klopp's frontline but went toe-to-toe tonight at the Tangier Ground Stadium in Tangier, Morocco.
Mane scored the winner for the Lions of Teranga, finding the bottom corner with an exquisite strike from outside the box in the 77th minute. It was heartbreak for Salah, who headed to AFCON with his club future in the air after being dropped by Arne Slot.
Salah and Mane formed one of the deadliest frontlines in Premier League history alongside Roberto Firmino. But the Liverpool star will be hating the sight of his former teammate, whose nation will face the winners of Nigeria vs Morocco in Sunday's final (January 18th).
Mane Magic Seals Final For Senegal
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Mane took his goal superbly, leaving Egyptian goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy rooted to his spot. But that was just one of several impressive moments he enjoyed during Senegal's win over Salah's nation in Morocco.
The 33-year-old made four key passes, won three of six aerial duels and even helped out in defence, making four defensive contributions. His best days may be behind him as he enters the twilight of his career at Al-Nassr, but he continues to be his country's star man and could fire them to glory on Sunday.
Fans gave their verdict on Mane's outing and alluded to his record in games against Salah on international duty. One fan wrote on X: "Sadio Mane is Salah's Biggest Nightmare."
Another supporter reckons the former Liverpool man is the best African winger in history: "I’m sorry in Africa Sadio Mane will always be the #1 Winger." This was echoed by another fan who was impressed: "Sadio Mane isn’t here to joke."
The veteran attacker already has an AFCON to his name and one supporter acknowledged him as a hero: "Sadio Mane is a Legend!"
One fan touched on the rivalry between the two Anfield heroes: "Sadio Mane cooking like Mo Salah again, what a strike."
Another pointed out the Senegalese winger's mentality, which helped steer his side to victory: "Sadio Mane looking focused and ready to carry Senegal. That green kit hits different."
One fan thinks there shouldn't be a debate between Mane and Salah anymore: "Mane dunks on Salah over and over again, this shouldn’t be a debate anymore."
Mane will captain Senegal in Sunday's final and could win the tournament for the second time in his career. He last claimed the trophy back in 2022, scoring the winning penalty in a 4-2 shootout win over Salah's Egypt in the final after a 0-0 draw over 120 minutes.
Salah Stutters as Egypt Bow Out
Egypt's Mohamed Salah pointing
Salah will be disappointed after another unsuccessful AFCON, a competition he desperately wants to win before he finishes his career. But he wasn't at his best tonight and looked frustrated as Mane went on to send Senegal to the final.
The 33-year-old didn't make a single key pass, won four of 15 duels and lost possession 14 times in a night to forget. He came into the game off the back of four goals in as many games, making him the competition's joint-second top scorer.
Salah and Mane's duel saw the Liverpool winger foul the Al-Nassr attacker as
Fans have given their verdicts on Salah's outing and suggested he can't get the better of Mane. One fan suggested even his own teammates ignored him: "These Egyptians are not even passing to Salah."
Another supporter questioned the Egyptians' performance on the whole and how they failed to get the best out of Salah and Manchester City's Omar Marmoush: "Egypt has two of the best attackers in the world in Marmoush and Salah. Crazy to play haram ball with that kind of talent."
One took aim at the tactical approach with Salah operating in a makeshift position: "Egypt coach got Salah playing RB, best African player ever apparently."
Another supporter was adamant Mane was superior: "I swear Sadio Mane is the best player on that pitch. Wow the man is on fire I don't know how people call Salah good he can't even do anything."
One alluded to Salah being swarmed by the opposition: "Doesn’t help that Salah has lost his legs so much every time he touched it he lost it."
Another fan vented their frustrations about Salah not being able to wreak havoc for Egypt as he has throughout his career at Anfield: "Egypt have wasted Salah's entire career on negative, ultra-defensive set-up coaches with no one remotely close to him in terms of ability. I don't care for Egypt. I'm gutted for Salah. Remember, there are people who argue Ronaldo and until 22, Messi, had no help."
Salah and Slot
Salah will now return to Liverpool with his side chasing a top-four finish, although Arne Slot's men remain in the Champions League and the FA Cup. But he will be licking his wounds after yet another heartbreaking end to an AFCON campaign, and that has been inflicted on him once again by Mane.