Egypt's forward #22 Omar Marmoush, Senegal's defender #02 Mamadou Sarr and Senegal's midfielder #05 Idrissa Gueye vie during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) semi-final football match between Senegal and Egypt at the Grand stadium in Tangiers on January 14, 2026. Photo : AFP
Senegal midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye said calmness and collective discipline were key as his team overcame Egypt to secure a place in the Africa Cup of Nations final.
Senegal sealed victory with a 78th-minute goal from Sadio Mané, ending a tense semi-final encounter.
“Sadio Mané shone as usual in a very tense match, but we stayed calm and defended well,” Gueye told journalists after the game. “We knew how important it was to reach the final, so we gave everything and earned a deserved victory.”
The match, played at the Grand Stade de Tanger, saw Senegal continue their recent strong record against Egypt, with Mané once again providing the decisive moment in a high-profile clash.
The win sends Senegal to the AFCON final for the fourth time in their history, highlighting their consistency at the top level of African football.
Senegal will face hosts Morocco in the final after Morocco defeated Nigeria on penalties in the other semi-final.
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