Senegal reach second consecutive AFCON final

 

The Teranga Lions of Senegal have reached the second consecutive AFCON final after beating the Stallions of Burkina Faso 3-1 on Wednesday evening.

Senegal was beaten 1-0 in the 2019 final in Egypt courtesy of an early goal, but this time, the time have the opportunity of winning their first AFCON title.

Fortunately, the statistics favor the West Africans as no team has made the AFCON final three times without winning the title. A drab first half pointed to a potential extra time lurking. This is not to say that the first half was without drama.

First, Burkina Faso had first-choice goalkeeper Herve Koffi injured and had to be replaced after an aerial battle. Afterward, Senegal had two penalties chalked off after Video Assistant Referee’s review.

Senegal looked brighter from the start of the second half, but the game’s first goal came from the 70th minute when Abdou Diallo put the highest-ranked African team in front.

Idrissa Gueye doubled the advantage minutes later, albeit Blati Toure narrowed the deficit late on, tipping a possible tense finale.

However, Liverpool forward Sadio Mane was set free late into the game, and the forward chipped the substitute goalkeeper for his 29th goal for his country.

The goal takes him to level with Henri Camara at the top of Senegal’s all-time scorer list. Now Senegal will wait for the winners of the second semi-final between Egypt and Cameroon on Thursday.

They will play either Egypt or Cameroon in the final on Sunday, while the Stallions of Burkina Faso will face the loser of the second semifinal on Saturday.

The third-place match was supposed to be played on Sunday before the final match, but it has now been brought forward to Saturday evening.

2019 champions Algeria are already out of the competition.

 

Written by:  Daniel Ademiju Idowu