Senegal defeated seven-time winners Egypt in the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations championship, winning the continental championship for the first time in a penalty shoot-out at Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Sadio Mane made history for the West African nation last night converting the decisive penalty that sealed his team’s 4-2 victory in the penalty shoot-out. Liverpool star stepped up and banished the memories of the team’s 2019 failure when they lost the final to Algeria.
Senegal failed to major on numerous opportunities to win the game with Mane missing a penalty saved in spectacular fashion by goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal, also known as Gabaski, in the seventh minute.
Senegal and Egypt were unable to breakthrough in the first 90 minutes of the match, with Senegal dominating most of the game before Egypt gained strength late in the second half.
After 120 minutes with the game tied at 0-0 of play, the match was settled to penalties with Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saving a shot from Egypt’s Mohanad Lasheen in the shoot-out to allow Mane the chance for redemption and seal the win for Senegal.
The English Premier League’s biggest star Salah was due to step up to take Egypt’s fifth penalty but with Mohamed Abdelmonem missing and Mohanad Lasheen having his kick saved by Edouard Mendy, the talisman did not get his chance and was already on the verge of tears as his club team-mate Mane seal his fate this time around.
Senegal coach Aliou Cisse who was captain of the side in 2002 said if you work hard and persevere, you will get what you want.
Cameroon ‘s President Paul Biya, 88-year-old attended the closing ceremony where he was paraded in an open-top car to hysterical crowds along with his wife, First Lady Chantal Biya.
The victory was welcomed with celebrations which erupted across Dakar as thousands took to the streets hugging and shedding tears of joy. Dozens ran onto a beach in a northern suburb, screaming to the night sky. People waved flags from the sunroofs of speeding cars.
The continental championship was completed in the shadow of a stampede that left at least eight people dead and 38 injured before Cameroon’s round of 16 game against Comoros Islands on January 24 Olembe Stadium.
