My Sports Mane converts decisive penalty as Senegal win AFCON final https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/6/mane-converts-decisive-penalty-as-senegal-win-afcon-final |image credit: aljazeera.com
Senegal were by far the better side in the final, but failed to capitalise on numerous opportunities to win the game with Mane missing a penalty earlier on. With the game tied at 0-0 after 120 minutes of play, the match came down to penalties and tt was goalkeeper Celebrations erupted across Dakar on Sunday night after Senegal claimed their first Africa Edouard Mendy who saved a shot from Egypt’s Cup of Nations title in a penalty shoot-out over Mohanad Lasheen in the shoot-out to allow Mane the chance for redemption and seal the seven-time winners Egypt. win for Senegal. It was Sadio Mane who stepped up to make history for the West African nation in Cam- Egypt had their goalkeeper Mohamed Abo Gaeroon’s Olembe Stadium, scoring the penalty bal to thank for getting them into the shoot-out that secured his team’s 4-2 victory in the pen- as he was outstanding in keeping Senegal at bay alty shoot-out. to make history for the West in what was the fourth time in as many games African nation on Sunday at the Olembe Stadi- they had played extra time in energy-sapping um in Cameroon’s Yaounde, and banished the conditions. memories of the team’s 2019 failure when they There may be some poetic justice for Senegal lost the final to Algeria. coach Aliou Cisse, who was captain of the side The victory banished memories of the team’s in 2002 when they lost the final on penalties to 2019 failure when they lost the final to Algeria, Cameroon after a goalless draw, having missed and was greeted with celebrations in Dakar. his kick in the shoot-out. Thousands took to the streets. Crowds hugged and cried. Dozens ran onto a beach in a north- Egypt, who had to do without suspended coach ern suburb, screaming to the night sky. People Carlos Queiroz in the dug-out, battled to get waved flags from the sunroofs of speeding cars. into the game and created only half-chances, with their talisman Mohamed Salah largely in“Senegal has lost so many trophies in the final. effective. This is a relief. Finally, we have it!” said Pape Malick Diba, a 31-year-old trader who danced Salah was in tears at the end, having also lost with friends at a fanzone in Dakar where sup- the 2017 final to Cameroon and seeing his Livporters struggled to see the screens through erpool teammate Mane seal his fate this time around. the crowds.
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Senegal fluffed the chance for an early lead when Mohamed Abdelmonem’s late, reckless challenge brought down left back Saliou Ciss. Salah had a lengthy conversation with Gabal before Mane stepped up to take the spot-kick. The latter went for power straight down the middle of the goal but his effort was saved, the 10th penalty miss in the tournament. Ismaila Sarr’s trickery down the right wing caused more early problems for Egypt and his low cross was narrowly missed by Mane at the back post on two occasions. Egypt finally caused some alarm in the Senegal box when Salah cut inside off the right and forced a good save from Mendy. The pattern of play continued in the second half with Senegal doing most of the attacking and both Famara Diedhiou and Mane were denied by Gabal in quick succession. Marwan Hamdi flashed a header wide at the other end, while in the first half of extra time, Gabal again made a fine stop to deny substitute Bamba Dieng. But Senegal found the net when it mattered to take home the trophy.
image credit : Footbal.London
TT 139 | FEB 8th- 14th| 2022 The Times Today is a publication of Elizabeth Omondi Consultancy. P.O. Box 833-00100 GPO Nairobi. Tel: 0722 927792. www.thetimestoday.wordpress.com
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