Sadio Mane And Edouard Mendy Make History As Senegal Win AFCON 2021

Senegal lifted the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in their history after a penalty-shootout win over Egypt on Sunday.

Victory for Senegal's Sadio Mane came at the expense of Liverpool teammate Mo Salah, who captained the defeated Egyptian side in Cameroon.

Mane and fellow Premier League star Edouard Mendy played key roles in the shootout.

Mendy saved from Mohanad Lasheen, before Mane scored the winning penalty to redeem himself for failing to score a spot-kick in normal time.

Salah did not take a penalty in the shootout as he was Egypt's designated fifth taker. It would have been his turn next had Mane missed for a second time on the night.

But Mane held his nerve and produced a magic moment for himself and his country.

Sadio Mane failed to convert a penalty in normal time but scored the winner in a shootout

IMAGO/Sebastian Frej

Mane and goalkeeper Mendy have now conquered two continents - Europe at club level with Liverpool and Chelsea respectively - and now Africa on the international stage. 

Senegal probably deserved their victory on the balance of play. They had the better chances to win the game before the shootout, but it remained 0-0 after 120 minutes.

Their biggest opportunity was presented to them as early as the fifth minute when Egypt defender Mohamed Abdel Monem fouled Senegal's Saliou Ciss inside the penalty area.

As the players waited for the penalty to be taken, Salah was seen speaking to Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal, seemingly advising him as to where Mane might place his shot.

Mane then said some words of his own to the goalkeeper, before taking a poor penalty which was parried away by Gabal.

It was Gabal's fourth penalty save of the tournament. He would end AFCON 2021 with five in total.

As time went on, the game became a cagey affair.

With the scores still level after 90 minutes, Egypt found themselves in familiar territory. For the fourth straight match they were heading for extra-time.

Senegal are champions of Africa for the first time in their history after winning AFCON 2021

IMAGO/Shengolpixs

Most of the extra-time action was played in Egypt's half but they did pose an occasional threat on the counter-attack, especially down the right side where Salah was on the prowl.

Both goalkeepers were tested in the final throws, with Bamba Dieng and Marwan Hamdy producing decent efforts.

Egypt's keeper had been far busier throughout 120 minutes, making eight saves, compared to Mendy's three.

And Gabal was the first to make a save in the shootout, though Egypt were the first to miss.

After the opening three kicks had been converted, Mohamed Abdelmonem saw his effort bounce back off the post to put Senegal in pole position.

But Gabal then denied Bouna Sarr as Egypt drew level in the shootout, only for Mendy to thwart Lasheen and present Mane with his chance to seal victory.

Once they are done celebrating their historic win, Senegal must look forward to another meeting with Egypt.

They meet in a two-legged World Cup qualifier in March.