Senegal Crowned African Champions for the First Time

Senegal is the winner of the African Cup of Nations 2021.

Senegal wins the African Cup of Nations for the first time by beating Egypt 4-2 in a penalty shootout. Sadio Mane scored the winning spot-kick to start. This started the celebrations for the Teranga Lions as this was to make up for the missed penalty at the start of the match.

The final ended 0 – 0 at extra time.

Senegal has gone for finals twice in the last years and lost. This is including the previous African Cup of Nations in 2019 which took place in Egypt when Mane was inconsolable.

This time he delivered the winning moment.

The final at the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde, Cameroon, was billed as a battle between Liverpool stars Mane of Senegal and Mohamed Salah of Egypt but it never reached those heights.

Senegal missed a series of chances, including Mane’s early penalty, which was saved by Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal.

Egypt appeared exhausted after all three of their previous knockout games also went to extra time. They seemed to be playing for a shootout in a bid to win a record-extending eighth African title.

Egypt won shootouts in the last 16 and the semi-finals to get to the final but missed two penalties in Sunday’s shootout.

Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saved Mohanad Lasheen in the shootout to allow Mane the chance to seal the win and gain just a reward for Senegal. They had been by far the better side in the final but spurned numerous opportunities.