Like last time in 2019, Senegal are in the final of the Africa Cup. Former Dortmund man Abdou Diallo set the stage for victory in a 3-1 win over Burkina Faso.
With several stars from international football in the starting eleven, Senegal were clear favourites against Burkina Faso in the first semi-final of the Africa Cup, but there was not much to see of Mané, Gueye & Co. in half-time.
The focus was on referee Bamlak Tessema from Ethiopia, who pointed to the spot for the first time after half an hour: Burkina Faso keeper Koffi had run wide of his goal but collided violently with Kouyaté while trying to fist away a long ball. The referee initially ruled it a penalty, but after viewing the video images he ruled it an offensive foul. Both players had to be treated for a long time, for Koffi it did not go on after six minutes of interruption.
A new controversy arose just before the break when Idrissa Gueye hit Leverkusen’s Tapsoba on the arm in the penalty area and the referee again awarded a penalty. Again the VAR intervened and again the referee reversed his decision (45.+9).
After the restart, the game became much quieter and the level of play dropped considerably. Senegal tried again and again, but mostly got bogged down in attack. After a corner from the right, Koulibaly acrobatically passed the ball to Diallo, who kept his cool from five metres and finished into the left corner (70th minute).
Mané decides with a chip
Senegal’s second successive appearance in the final was brought even closer six minutes later by Dieng, who had only to push over Mané’s strong feed from close range. Gueye also went for the ball, but it was Dieng who was the last to make the difference. In the final phase, however, there was a brief period of suspense, Touré put a cross from the right into the right corner with his knee from eleven metres – only 1:2 (82nd).
But the decisive goal on 87 minutes was Mané’s, who outpaced the Burkina Faso backline on a counter-attack and finished with a cool chip.
Senegal are now through to the final, as they were at the last Africa Cup in 2019, when the Terangal Lions were beaten by Algeria. Who will follow Mané & Co. into the final (Sunday, 8pm) will be decided on Thursday when hosts Cameroon meet Egypt (8pm). For Burkina Faso, the bronze medal is still up for grabs on Saturday (8pm).
