We now know the final square of this CAN 2022. On Wednesday, Senegal will face Burkina Faso and Thursday Cameroon will challenge Egypt, winner this Sunday (2-1) of Morocco. Senegal assumed its rank by eliminating (3-1) the surprise team of this CAN, Equatorial Guinea, who fell from Algeria in the group stage and from Mali in the round of 16. The beautiful adventure of the Nzalang Nacional, where many players were in tears, is over. Senegal, following an unattractive start, arrives in good shape at the right time.
What you must remember
Until then, Senegal advanced masked. But he is gaining momentum. Rather disappointing in the game since the start of this CAN, even if it had not yet conceded a goal, Senegal where the Parisians Diallo and Gueye were holders, finally showed a more attractive face. Well served by Sadio Mane, Famara Diédhiou, the striker of Alanyaspor (Turkey) following evolving in France (Sochaux, Clermont, Angers), scored his first goal (1-0, 28th) during a Cup of Africa. With this goal, we thought the Lions of Teranga finally launched. But Equatorial Guinea has shown since the start of the competition that it does not give up and that it also has vice…
On an action by Salvador, Koulibaly touches the ball with his hand, which Edu was obviously looking for on the action. The referee initially awards a penalty but reconsiders his decision following viewing the VAR (50th). Very angry, the players of the Nzalang Nacional, however, do not leave their match and manage to equalize on a strike from outside Buyla (1-1, 57th). But three minutes following entering the place of Marseillais Pape Gueye, Cheikhou Kouyaté, the experienced (32-year-old) Crystal Palace defender is ahead of Owono (2-1, 68th).
Another player off the bench Ismaïla Sarr, the Watford striker, shelters Senegal (3-1, 78th). The former player of Metz and Rennes, injured since the start of this CAN, is decisive from his first minutes in the competition. Aliou Cissé’s coaching made the difference. Senegal took advantage of a greater bench depth and offensive quality, compared to Equatorial Guinea. Aliou Cissé, who relies on a solid defense, is still just as pragmatic. But his team proved to be a little more effective and sharper offensively.
The number: 2
Senegal has qualified for the 5th time in its history for the CAN semi-finals. This is the 2nd in a row. In 2019, the Teranga Lions lost in the final once morest Algeria (1-0).
The player: Sadio Mané
Against Cape Verde, in the round of 16 won by Senegal (2-0), the Liverpool winger left the field following a very violent clash with goalkeeper Josimar Vozinha. Four days later, Sadio Mané showed that it was just a bad memory. If he did not increase his total of goals (2), he carried his team once morest Equatorial Guinea. It is he who unblocks the situation by being decisive passer on the opening of the score of Diedhiou.
The reaction
Sadio Mané, Senegalese striker : “Our strength is the collective. It’s the substitutes that make us win the game. We know that we have a group of 28 quality players. There will be obstacles. But not thinking regarding the final would be a mistake.
