Africa-Press – Kenya. Sadio Mane netted the winning spot-kick as Senegal beat Egypt 4-2 on penalties to clinch their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations after a 0-0 draw.
The Liverpool forward had seen a seventh-minute penalty saved by Egypt keeper Gabaski but Mane held his nerve when he returned in the shootout.
Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy denied Mohanad Lasheen to give Mane the chance to win it in Yaounde’s Olembe Stadium.
Gabaski had made three good saves from Senegal’s Bamba Dieng in extra time.
All four of Egypt’s knockout games at the tournament went the distance, and the North Africans had beaten Ivory Coast and host Cameroon on spot-kicks en route to the final.
Gabaski had already saved four penalties at the tournament by the time the match went to a shootout, but on this occasion, the 33-year-old was not able to emerge on the winning side.
Egypt were the first to err when centre-back Mohamed Abdelmonem saw his penalty hit the left-hand upright and bounce away – but Gabaski immediately denied Bouna Sarr.
However, Lasheen was then denied and Mane won it with an emphatic finish into the bottom left-hand corner, meaning his Liverpool team-mate Mohamed Salah did not even have the chance to take a penalty, with the Pharaohs captain set to go fifth for his side.
Senegal had previously lost two Nations Cup finals, finishing runners-up in 2002 and 2019.
The two sides will meet again in March in a two-legged play-off for a spot at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Reactions
Just look at what it means! đź’™#AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/bIgxuxxcpX
Aliou Cisse A local Coach! A Champion! A Legend! RESPECT! 🙌🏽 #SENEGY #AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/RohSTQO6Hc
And the Teranga Lions pounce on their prize!
History is made as #TeamSenegal see off the Pharaohs of #TeamEgypt and claim their place at the top of Africa’s footballing pyramid.
Celebration, jubilation, felicitation! Oh how they will celebrate tonight!! #AFCON2021
Dakar, Senegal tonight. It’s a carnival. It’s a huge celebrations mood. Well deserved. #TeamSenegal #AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/1UDfro53hp
Believe in African coaches. Give them time and the resources to build for the long term and they’ll do wonders.
Aliou Cisse has been in charge of the Teranga Lions since 2015. Seven years of solid work and finally it has paid off. #AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/75VHku16w1
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