Liverpool strikers Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah will go head to head in the AFCON 2021 final as Senegal face Egypt.
Senegal are looking for their first Africa Cup of Nations title. They are also hoping to make it third time lucky after losing the 2002 and 2019 finals.
Meanwhile, Egypt are looking for a record-extending eighth title. They are the most successful African side. However, they haven’t won the title since 2010, having lost their last final appearance in 2017.
It should be an intriguing final and there is added spice as both will face each other again next month for a place in the World Cup finals in Qatar.
AFCON 2021 Final Preview: Senegal v Egypt
Road to the AFCON Final
Senegal got off to a slow start, scoring just once in the group stage. However, despite this, they topped their group nevertheless. They have gradually gotten better as the tournament has progressed.
In the knockout stage, they have scored eight goals in three games in wins against Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, and Burkina Faso.
Meanwhile, Egypt’s campaign got off to the worse possible start, losing to Nigeria in their opening game. They rebounded defeating Guinea-Bissau and Sudan to qualify for the knockout stage.
The Pharaohs have ridden their luck in the knockout stages needed penalties to defeat Ivory Coast and the hosts Cameroon. Sandwiched between those two games was a win against Morocco, where they came from behind to win in extra time.
Like Senegal, it has been their defence that has helped them reach the final, having conceded just twice. However, there will be big question marks over how much they have left in the tank, considering all three of their knockout matches have gone to extra time.
In contrast, Senegal have had a relatively smooth passage to the final and will undoubtedly be the fresher of the two sides. Senegal will be big favourites to finally win their first AFCON. However, it has been a tournament full of surprises. It wouldn’t be a shock if we had another one in the final.
Troubled AFCON Tournament Hasn’t Showcased African Football in the Best Light
The AFCON tournament hasn’t been without its troubles. Eight people were killed and 38 injured in a crush outside Stade Olembé in Yaoundé before Cameroon’s win against Comoros. This tragedy highlighted clear security and organisational issues and has put a dark cloud over the rest of the tournament.
Other issues have included the state of some of the pitches, in particular in Douala which led to widespread criticism and led to two games being moved from Douala’s Japoma Stadium to the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde.
Then there were the farcical scenes in the match between Mali and Tunisia. Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe blew for full time five minutes early. He corrected himself and blew right on 90 minutes despite a number of stoppages throughout the second half.
Tunisia were furious and officials stormed the pitch in protest. Despite the man of the match trophy being handed out and the post-match news conferences in full swing, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) officials decided the remaining minutes should be played.
Mali came out onto the pitch to play 40 minutes after the controversy began. However, Tunisia refused to play on and Sikazwe ended the game for the third time. It was an embarrassing situation to happen at such a high-profile tournament.
On the pitch, the tournament got off to a slow start but has gradually gotten better. The African football federation will be happy that the final involves two of Africa’s biggest stars.
They will be hoping the final is an entertaining one and finish what has been a difficult tournament off the pitch on a high.
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