Cameroon 2021: How Senegal beat Egypt to Lift First AFCON Trophy

By Harry Awurumibe, Editor-in-Chief, Abuja

For the Senegalese at home and across the globe, their wait for the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy came to a glorious end at Stade Paul Biya Olembe, Yaounde, Cameroon after Teranga Lions of Senegal defeated the Pharaohs of Egypt 4-2 on penalties in the epic final of the 2021 AFCON.

The match itself lived up to the expectations of football followers across the world as Senegal had an electric start in their meeting with Egypt on that cool Sunday, February 6, 2022 but were unable to put the game to bed early despite having glorious chances.

Senegal was to be rewarded almost immediately as her best chance to score came inside four minutes of action when overlapping defender Amadou Ciss won a penalty for his side after an Egyptian defender, Abdoul Moneim

hacked him down in the box.

The no nonsense center referee, Victor Gomes of  South Africa unmistakably pointed to the penalty box but Senegal’s ‘talisman’ Sadio Mane who took the penalty kick smashed it into the part of Egyptian goalkeeper, AbdelGabal Ali aka Gabaski.

But the penalty loss did not deter the Senegalese as Mane rallied support for the players to keep pushing for victory over Egypt as led the incessant raid on Egypt”s goalpost even the Egyptians themselves hit Senegal on the counter when superstar, Mohamed Salah in the 25′ and 43′ tried shots from outside the Senegalese box which Chelsea star, Edouard Mendy saved.

With no goal scored in the first half by the two teams, Egypt which had been pegged back by Senegal all through the match, as expect came out in the second half to fight. The Egyptian bench made three changes at the commencement of that second half to try to curtail the Senegalese who were still threatening to score, although they don’t have the numbers to go forward as Senegal Head Coach, Aliou Cisse brought three players to sustain the attack till the full 90 minutes.

Both teams still tied 0-0 after 30 minutes extra-time hence the resultant penalty shootout on the night with Senegal triumphing 4-2 to lift the AFCON trophy for the first ever, a feat which has brought joy to Senegalese at home and abroad including the General Secretary of the world football governing body, FIFA, Ms Fatma Samoura who was at the stadium live to witness history being made by her country of birth.

By the defeat, Egypt’s dream of a record-extending eighth AFCON title evaporated like early morning dew as two Egyptian players missed their kicks while Senegal captain, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sekou Diallo, Bakry Dieng and Mane scored to gift Senegal the deserved win.

The victory mean a lot not only to the players and officials but to all Senegalese especially Coach Cisse after

Senegal were losing finalists twice in 2002 when the coach was a player and 2019 as Head Coach.

For Cisse, what a relief as he has been the most criticised coach in the world, according to some of his players who were happy for the gaffer on his achievement in Cameroon.

The coach himself who was overjoyed standing right in front of the celebrating Senegalese fans was clad in the Senegalese colours, just as the emotional coach was taking in all the adoration and love of the fans at Stade Paul Biya Olembe Stadium in Yaounde on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, at the conclusion of the 2021 AFCON, Mane was named Player of the Tournament after leading the Teranga Lions to their first-ever AFCON title on Sunday.

Goalkeeper Mendy won the Best Goalkeeper Award as the Chelsea shot-stopper conceded only two goals during 2021 AFCON and blocked a penalty in the shootout against Egypt.

Indomitable Lions of Cameroon’s inspirational captain, Vincent

Aboubakar, won the Golden Boot Award after scoring a tally of 8 goals in the competition.