SADIO Mane sparked an on-pitch mobbing after netting the winning spot-kick against Egypt as the AFCON final went to penalties.
The Senegalese international made up for a missed penalty in the first-half of action to fire Aliou Cisse’s men to victory in the competition for the first time in the nation’s history.
The score was 0-0 at full-time, with the Lions of Teranga enjoying the most chances in front of goal throughout the clash.
Senegal had lost two finals previously, including at the last African Cup in Egypt in 2019, when Mané was left 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 Mané of Senegal and Mohamed Salah of Egypt but it never reached those heights.
Senegal missed a series of chances, including Mané’s early penalty, which was saved by Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal.
Egypt appeared exhausted after all three of its previous knockout games also went to extra time and 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 semifinals to get to the final but missed two penalties in Sunday’s shootout.
- (With input from news agencies)
