The 2022 Africa Cup of Nations looks set to reach a thrilling conclusion on Sunday, with Senegal and Egypt going head-to-head in the final in Yaounde.
Senegal were the pre-tournament favourites and are looking to be crowned champions of Africa for the first time, having been beaten in the final in both 2002 and 2019.
In contrast, Egypt will be aiming to lift the trophy for a record-extending eighth time, although it is 12 years since the North Africans last claimed the continent’s top prize.
Slow Starts Could Lead to Strong Finishes
The weight of expectancy appeared to be weighing on the shoulders of Senegal during the group stage, as they picked up just a solitary win and goal from their matches against Zimbabwe, Guinea and Malawi, although that was still enough to see them top Group B.
Knockout stage victories over Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea and Burkina Faso have since followed, with the eight goals they have scored across those successes suggesting the Lions of Teranga could now be hitting top form at just the right time.
Pharoahs Not Fully Convincing
Egypt also started the tournament slowly, following up an opening defeat to Nigeria with less than convincing 1-0 victories over Guinea-Bissau and Sudan that did at least secure them second place in Group D.
The Pharaohs’ route through the knockout stages has proved much tougher than Senegal’s, as they have been taken to extra-time in all three of their matches.
They needed penalties to see off Ivory Coast in the last-16 and hosts Cameroon in the semi-finals, while a 100th-minute strike from Trezeguet saw them edge past Morocco in the quarters.
Senegal may therefore be the fresher of the two sides heading into the final (they have also had an extra 24 hours to prepare for the game), with Aliou Cisse’s side priced at 6/5 to go on and win the match in 90 minutes, while an Egypt victory is available at 17/5 and the draw is 17/10.
Mane vs Salah Battle Could Prove Key
One of the main talking points in the build-up to the final is the impending clash between Liverpool forwards Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah – the former will be hoping to lead Senegal to victory, while the latter is eyeing success with Egypt.
Between them the duo have scored over 250 goals for Liverpool, helping the Reds to both Champions League and Premier League glory over recent years, but only one will be celebrating another trophy success come Sunday night.
Both men have played key roles in their team’s run through to the final, Mane having contributed three goals and two assists, one more in each department than Salah.
It would be no surprise to see both players produce further influential performances on Sunday, with Mane available at 11/5 to score anytime, while Salah can be backed at 5/2 to get on the scoresheet.
Senegal on Course for AFCON Success
Senegal will not only be the fresher of the two sides heading into the final, but they also boast more strength and depth in their squad, with Mane providing the attacking flair and their defence being martialled by captain Kalidou Koulibaly and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
The Lions of Teranga have certainly built their success on a strong backline, conceding just twice in the tournament to date, and they can be backed at 11/5 to win Sunday’s match to nil – an outcome worth considering as Egypt have failed to score in three of their six matches at the tournament.
Egypt, who are coached by former Manchester United assistant Carlos Queiroz, do have history on their side given their previous successes at AFCON, but in the head-to-head meetings it is Senegal that boast the advantage, winning each of the last two clashes.
This will be the first of three pivotal meetings between these two sides over the coming months, as they will also face off in a two-legged play-off for a place at this year’s World Cup, and it looks like Senegal could well head into that tie as champions of Africa.
*All odds correct at time of writing