Senegal secured their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title after defeating seven-time winners Egypt on penalties on Sunday night.
Africa Cup Of Nations Final
Result: Senegal 0-0 Egypt (Senegal won 4-2 on penalties)
Date: 06 February 2022
Venue: Stade Omnisport Paul Biya
The Lions of Teranga gave Watford forward Ismaila Sarr his first start of the tournament, alongside Sadio Mane and Famara Diedhiou while Egypt talisman Mohamed Salah played out wide in a front three.
Senegal had a bright start as they were awarded a penalty in the fourth minute after Mohamed Abdelmonem brought down Saliou Ciss in the box, however, Mane's thumping spot-kick down the middle was saved by shot-stopper Abou Gabal.
The Pharaohs, who were sitting back in the early stages were growing in the game midway through the first stanza and Salah had their first shot on target just before the half-hour mark with a strike at the near post that was smothered by shot-stopper Edouard Mendy.
The game continued to open up towards the end of the first stanza as Salah came close to breaking the deadlock for Egypt with a curling strike at the near post that was parried away by Mendy in the top corner.
Senegal were on the front foot in the opening exchanges of the second stanza, creating chances but they were constantly thwarted by Gabal in goal.
The North African giants made attacking changes just before the hour-mark, as Trezeguet replaced Amr El Soleya, Zizou came on for Omar Marmoush and Marwan Hamdy replaced Mostafa Mohamed.
The intensity of the game was increasing in the latter stages, with both sides stretching themselves and Hamdy came close to breaking the deadlock in the last quarter of an hour with a towering header in the box that missed just wide of the upright.
However, there were some tired legs in the dying minutes, as neither side could get clear opportunities and extra-time was required after the sides remained deadlocked in regulation time.
The Lions of Teranga had a quick start in extra-time after Bamba Dieng went through on goal within the first minute but his strike across goal was saved by Gabal.
The second period of extra-time had fireworks, as Dieng came close to snatching the winner for Senegal in the last five minutes with a low cracking strike from outside the box that was saved by Gabal.
Zizou also came close to stealing it for Egypt just after that with a powerful drive that required a reflex save from Mendy, but the game would be decided by a shoot-out where Aliou Cisse's troops held their nerve to claim the victory after Mane scored the winning penalty to hand Senegal their first Afcon title.
Here's how they started:
Senegal: Mendy, Ciss, Koulibaly, Diallo, Sarr, Gueye, Mendy, Kouyate, Mane, Sarr, Diedhiou.
Egypt: Abo Gabal, Emam, Abdelmonem, El-Wensh, Fetouh, Elsulya, Elneny, Fathi, Salah, Marmoush, Mostafa
Here are the 10 highest-ranked African nations in FIFA's latest rankings:
