Mane and Salah Face Off in High-Stakes AFCON Semi-Final

Former Liverpool teammates Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah reunite this Wednesday, 14 January, as Senegal square off against Egypt in a monumental AFCON semi-final in Tangier, Morocco.

While the Pharaohs are chasing a record-extending eighth title, the Lions of Teranga aim to defend their 2021 crown.

History favours Senegal, who defeated Egypt in both the 2021 final and the 2022 World Cup playoffs via penalty shoot-outs. Mane, who scored the winning spot-kick in the 2021 final despite missing a penalty earlier in the same match, admitted the mental burden was immense.

“Thinking about this penalty, I can say it was one of the hardest things in my life,” Mane told an international publication on Tuesday, 13 January.

Egypt enter the match in clinical form, having scored six goals during the knockout stages. Salah, currently on four tournament goals, remains their primary threat, while Mane has proven vital as a playmaker, creating a tournament-high 14 chances.

Beyond the veterans, Senegal’s Iliman Ndiaye is confident, stating: “We played very well, and it shows that we are improving match after match.”

As both legends are now 33 years old, this clash may be their final international encounter before the final against Nigeria or Morocco this Sunday, 18 January.

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