Senegal advanced to the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for the third time in four successive competitions following a 1-0 win over Egypt on Wednesday night in Tangier.
Sadio Mané's strike 12 minutes from time settled the match at the Stade Ibn-Batouta. Senegal will play Morocco who saw off Nigeria following a penalty shootout.
Senegal, the continent's second best side, hogged possession from the outset and worked more openings for shots at Mohamed El Shenawy's goal.
Nicolas Jackson's powerful drive flew well over the bar and El Shenawy was equal to long range drives from Pape Gueye and Habib Diarra.
Egypt's best chance of the half came from Mohamed Salah's free-kick from the right wing.
But the skipper's whipped delivery eluded his strikers in the penalty area and spun out for a goal kick.
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Salah's former Liverpool teammate enjoyed the night's fortune. His snapshot from a rebound took a deflection to beat El Shenawy and give the West Africans a slender lead. The strike also forced Egypt onto the offensive.
Four minutes after the breakthrough, they had their first corner of the game.
But Senegal repelled that and held firm to book a place in Sunday night's showdown at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.
“We totally deserved this victory,” said Senegal defender Moussa Niakhaté
“We suffocated them, we didn't let them play their game, and we also didn't allow ourselves get caught out either. Finally, by pushing constantly, it went in.”
Skipper Kalidou Koulibaly will miss the final through suspension after picking up a second yellow card of the knockout stages.
Diarrra will also sit out the match after suffering the same fate.
