Senegal have been crowned winners of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time after the team won in penalty shootouts in the final game which ended goalless.
Senegal beatEgypt 4-2 in the penalties with Liverpool striker Sadio Mané netting the winning spot-kick to earn the Senegalese the trophy.
Having missed a penalty in regular time, Sadio Mane turned on the style during the penalty shootouts as Senegal beat Egypt to win their first Africa Cup of Nations title.
Egypt missed twice in the shootout as Mohamed Salah, who was meant to be his team’s last penalty taker, could do nothing.
Senegal had lost two finals previously, including against Algeria at the last African Cup in Egypt in 2019.
Senegal missed a series of chances in normal time and extra time, including Mané’s early penalty, which was saved by Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal.
Egypt’s players appeared fatigued after all three of their previous knockout games also went to extra time, and they seemed to be playing for a shootout in a bid to win a record-extending eighth African title.
Egypt won shootouts in the last 16 and the semifinals to get to the final but missed two penalties in Sunday’s shootout.
Egypt goalkeeper, Gabaski saved from the Liverpool star’s effort in the 7th minute from the spot after Saliou Cisse was brought down in the box by Mohamed Abdelmonem.
Despite missing the penalty, the Teranga Lions continued to put more pressure on the north African in a bid to open the scoring but the Egyptian defence was as good as their defensive performances in the tournament before the final.
Edouard Mendy came to the rescue for the Teranga Lions after Mohamed Salah’s shot from just inside the penalty box looked to heading for the top corner. But the Chelsea shot-stopper parried the ball over the crossbar.
After 90 minutes of action, there was no goal to separate both teams as the game headed into extra time.
The extra 30 minutes saw little chances in the way of both teams but Ahmadou Bamba-Dieng came the closest, with his weak shot being pushed away by Gabaski.
Having won their last fixture through penalty shootouts, the Pharaohs were the confident side going into the last action of the game.
However, Abdelmonem and Mohanad Lasheen missed their penalties for Egypt while Bouna Sarr also saw his effort being saved as Mane scored the winning penalty.
