The Teranga Lions' talisman, the 33-year-old Al-Nassr forward, once again proved too hot to handle for his former Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah, whose Pharaohs dreams of a maiden continental title were shattered yet again. This latest heartbreak echoes their 2021 AFCON final clash (where Mané scored the winning penalty) and the 2022 World Cup qualifying shootout.
Mané's moment of magic arrived in the 78th minute. After a tense, low-scoring affair where both sides struggled for clear chances—Egypt managed zero shots on target throughout—the breakthrough came when Lamine Camara's ambitious long-range effort was blocked. The ball fell kindly to Mané on the edge of the box. He chested it down (amid faint handball shouts) and unleashed a ferocious low drive into the bottom corner past Mohamed El Shenawy, sending the Senegalese fans into ecstasy.
The goal was Mané's second of the tournament, underlining his growing influence after earlier contributions. Throughout the match, he was a constant threat: always dangerous with space, creating opportunities, and leading Senegal's pressing game. His composure and quality in the final third earned him the TotalEnergies Man of the Match award, with pundits and fans alike hailing his "pure class" and leadership.
Post-match, Mané reflected on the victory and dropped a bombshell: "This will be my last AFCON final," he told RTS, hinting at international retirement after the 2026 World Cup. The announcement added extra emotion to an already charged night, where tensions flared—Salah's foul on Mané sparked a heated touchline scuffle between benches, though cooler heads prevailed.
Senegal dominated large spells, with 11 shots (four on target) compared to Egypt's frustration. Coach Pape Thiaw's side showed resilience and tactical discipline, punishing Egypt's rare lapse. For Egypt, despite Salah's four goals en route to the semis, they couldn't break through a compact Senegalese defense.
This result sets up a blockbuster final against hosts Morocco (who advanced on penalties over Nigeria), promising fireworks on Sunday. For Senegal, it's a chance to claim a second AFCON crown and send their veteran star out on a high.
Mané's performance wasn't just about the goal—it was a reminder of why he's one of Africa's all-time greats. As he put it: "We deserved to win, you all saw it!" The continent saw it, and the final awaits. Who needs penalties when Sadio Mané is on fire?