Senegal Wins AFCON After Sadio Mane Scores the Winning Penalty.

Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time with a 4-2 penalty shootout triumph over seven-time winners Egypt after a 0-0 tie.

Mane had missed an early penalty in the game but stepped up to make history for Senegal and erase memories of their defeat in the 2019 World Cup final against Algeria.

In the shootout, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saved a penalty kick from Mohanad Lasheen, allowing Mane to seal the victory and provide appropriate compensation for Senegal, who had been by far the stronger team in the final but had missed multiple opportunities to win the game.

Egypt owes it to goalie Gabaski to bring them to the Olembe Stadium shootout, as he was brilliant in keeping Senegal at bay in what was the fourth time in as many games that they have played extra time in exhausting conditions.

Senegal coach Aliou Cisse, who was captain of the team in 2002 when they lost the final on penalties to Cameroon after a goalless draw, may have received poetic justice for missing his penalty kick in the shootout.

Egypt struggled to get into the game without suspended coach Carlos Queiroz in the dugout, creating only half-chances with their talisman Mohamed Salah completely ineffectual.

Salah was in tears at the end after losing 2017 final to Cameroon and seeing Liverpool teammate Mane seal his destiny this time. Senegal blew an early lead when left back Saliou Ciss was taken down by Mohamed Abdelmonem’s late, dangerous challenge.

Salah and Gabaski had a lengthy talk before Mane came forward to attempt the penalty kick. The latter went for power right down the middle of the goal, but his effort was saved, making it the tournament’s tenth penalty miss.

Egypt’s early woes were compounded by Ismaila Sarr’s deception down the right-wing, where his low cross was twice nearly missed by Mane at the back post.

When Salah cut inside off the right and forced a nice stop from Mendy, Egypt finally caused some concern in the Senegal box. In the second half, the pattern of play remained, with Senegal doing most of the attacking and Gabaski denying both Famara Diedhiou and Mane in rapid succession.

At the other end, Marwan Hamdi sent a header over, and Gabal made another fantastic save to deny substitute Bamba Dieng in the opening half of extra time.