The stage is set for the finals which is the 52nd match of the 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations as Senegal and Egypt go head-to-head for the ultimate prize at Paul Biya stadium Olembe tonight.
Senegal who have made it to the AFCON finals second time in a row will put up a strong challenge to clinch their first-ever title against the continent’s most successful side, Egypt who will be seeking to conquer the continent for a record-extending eighth time.
The Terranga Lions of Senegal came into this tournament unbeaten and were considered one of the best playing football sides in Africa but they fought hard to earn a 1-0 victory over Zimbabwe in their opening game.
They, however, failed to win the next two group games but finished the Group B as leaders to qualify for the knock out rounds.
It was at this point that the Lions began to roar loud and clear by defeating Cape Verde 2-0 before claiming a 3-1 victory over Equatorial Guinea five days later at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium to set up a last-four clash with Burkina Faso on January 2.
Senegal are currently in superb form, going unbeaten in 12 consecutive games but will now look to end their losing streak in the two finals in 2002 and 2019.
Egypt, on the other hand, are the most decorated side in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations, conquering the continent on seven different occasions, with their last title triumph coming back in 2010, when they saw off Ghana 1-0.
The Pharaohs had qualified for the tournament unbeaten in the qualifying series but failed the litmus test against Nigeria as they fell Kelechi Iheanacho’s lone strike in the opening match.
Smarting from the loss, Egypt got their campaign up and running four days later, when they secured a hard-earned 1-0 victory over a Guinea-Bissau side before winning 1-0 win against Sudan on January 19.
Finishing as runners-up in Group D with six points from nine available, the North Africans progressed to the last 16 where they saw off tournament favourites Ivory Coast on penalties following a goalless 120 minutes.
Probably their best match of the tournament was against fellow Arab nation, Morocco as they battled in the North Africa derby which the Pharaohs won 2-1.
In what has been adjudged to be the final before finals, Egypt then exerted revenge on Cameroon as they won 3-1 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes to secure a place in the finals.
In tonight’s finals, all eyes will no doubt be on Liverpool’s duo of Mo Salah who captains the Pharaohs of Egypt and Sadio Mane, the Terranga Lions’ weapon of destruction.
Senegal possible starting lineup:
E Mendy; Sarr, Koulibaly, A Diallo, Ciss; Kouyate, N Mendy, I Gueye; Mane, Dieng, Dia
Egypt possible starting lineup:
Sobhy; Kamal, Trezeguet, Hamdi, Fatouh; Ashraf, El-Sulya, Elneny; Mohamed, Marmoush, Salah
