Senegal has won the 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations after edging out Egypt on penalties in the championship match on Sunday. This is the first AFCON trophy for Senegal, with the country finally managing to get on top after finishing as runner-up two times before.
The game itself got off to an exciting start after Senegal was awarded a penalty kick in the fourth minute of the contest. Mohamed Abdelmonem made a reckless challenge in the box, and the referee had no other option but to point to the spot. Sadio Mane stepped up to the task, but his shot was stopped by Egypt’s goalie Mohamed Abougabal.
The game offered a few thrills but no goals from that point on. Both teams were more focused on keeping their net intact and opted to wait for their chances from counterattacks. This led to scoreless 90 minutes, and the teams were in for another 30 minutes of soccer.
Both Egypt and Senegal made an effort to win it all in extra time, but Abougabal and his counterpart Edouard Mendy once again stepped to the challenge and caused the game to be decided on penalties.
In the shootout, Senegal was the more composed team, converting three penalty shots in the first four series. On the other hand, Egypt missed two and needed Mane to miss again to stay in the match. Liverpool’s star, however, redeemed himself and sent the ball past Abougabal to spark a wild celebration for his national side.
“I dedicate this [victory] to the people of Senegal,” said Senegal’s head coach Aliou Cisse after the match. “From independence to now, we never had a star on our shirt … and now we have the first one.”
