Senegal and Algeria have booked a place in the finals of the African Cup of Nations after beating Tunisia and Nigeria respectively.
Senegal advanced to the finals for the first time in seventeen years kind courtesy of an own from Dylan Bronn in extra time. Its also only the second time Senegal have been to the finals. They lost their first finals on penalties to Cameroon in 2002. Ferjani Sassi and Henri Saivet both failed to put their team in front from the spot in regulation time.
Just like in previous rounds of the tournament Senegal were wasteful in front of goal. They dominated the game and should have been in front at the of the end of the first half as Sabaly hit the post with his curled effort.
With Kalidou Koulibaly missing the final due to suspension, Senegal need to find their scoring boots and take every chance that comes their way if they are to win their first ever title. Missing chances against these desert foxes might prove costly.
The desert foxes, my pick to win the Afcon by the way, led by Riyad Mahrez have been exceptional since matchday one. They did not dissapoint tonight too as they broke the hearts of Nigerians with the last kick of the game. A sensational free kick by Mahrez in the 95th minute ensured Nigeria’s quest for a fourth title came to an abrupt end. Ighalo had equalized for the Super Eagles after an Ekong own goal had put Algeria in front at half time.
And so on Friday, it will be the Teranga Lions of Senegal coming up against the Desert Foxes of Algeria at the Cairo International Stadium. It is also the first time since 1998 that two local coaches leading a national team will face each other in an Afcon final.