Senegal win Africa Cup of Nations after Sadio Mane and Edouard Mendy become shootout heroes

SADIO MANE overcame Mohammed Salah in the battle of Liverpool’s superstars to help Senegal to their first African Cup of Nations victory.

A penalty shoot-out decided the outcome after a goalless 120 minutes in Cameroon on a night of fluctuating and extreme emotion for the Anfield strikers.

For Mané – already a national hero – there was the ecstasy of converting the winning penalty to end his country’s excruciating wait to be African champions. His moment of glory came after he had earlier missed from the spot during normal time.

By contrast, Salah was left in tears after Egypt’s courageous efforts for an eighth th title went unrewarded. Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy also secured legendary status, his critical save from Mohanad Lasheen in the shoot-out allowing Mané to step forward and shoot his way into folklore.

The rivalry between Liverpool’s duo dominated the build-up to the final, and came to the fore