Senegal overcame Egypt on penalty kicks in the Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday, claiming the continental title for the first time at Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Neither Senegal nor Egypt, which had previously won the Africa Cup of Nations seven times, were able to breakthrough in the opening 90 minutes, with Senegal appearing to be in control for the majority of the game before Egypt gained power late in the second half.
Senegal’s greatest chance for a goal in normal time came in the first few minutes of the game. In the seventh minute, Liverpool striker Sadio Mané’s penalty attempt was saved spectacularly by goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal, popularly known as Gabaski, after an Egyptian foul in the penalty area.
The game went to penalty kicks after 30 minutes of scoreless extra time, which saw two outstanding saves from Gabaski and Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
Mendy made another crucial save, giving Mané an opportunity to redeem himself. Senegal won the tournament when Mané buried a rocket into the back of the net.
The tournament ended in the aftermath of a horrific stadium crush outside Olembe Stadium on January 24, in which at least eight people were murdered and 38 more were injured during a match between Cameroon and Comoros.