Lions of Teranga vs Pharaohs: AFCON Semi-Final Showdown

Senegal national football team and Egypt national football team clash in Tangier on Wednesday night in a blockbuster Africa Cup of Nations semi-final, with a place in the final at stake and recent history adding extra edge to a familiar rivalry.

Both nations arrive in similar form, with Egypt and Senegal each winning four of their five matches at this tournament.

Despite reaching the semi-finals, doubts remain over whether Egypt’s conservative approach will be effective against Senegal. The Pharaohs required a last-minute winner against Zimbabwe in their opening game, were held to a goalless draw by Angola, and secured a narrow victory over South Africa in the group stage.

Egypt were then taken to extra time to overcome Benin in the round of 16 and survived a late comeback from Ivory Coast in the quarter-final.

Hossam Hassan’s men eventually prevailed 3–2, but managed just 29% possession across the match, highlighting their reliance on resilience rather than control.

Senegal, meanwhile, are aiming to become back-to-back African champions and they are doing so in style. While much of the focus has been on their attacking firepower, the Lions of Teranga have been equally impressive defensively, keeping three clean sheets while scoring eleven goals in their last five games.

The 2022 AFCON winners have advanced with authority, dispatching Sudan 3–1 in the round of 16 before edging past Mali 1–0 in a tightly contested quarter-final.

Historically, Senegal and Egypt have met five times at the Africa Cup of Nations, with Senegal winning three encounters and Egypt two. Senegal also claimed victory in their most recent competitive meeting, eliminating Egypt to secure qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup a result that still lingers in the memory.

Team News

Egypt are close to full strength ahead of the semi-final, but will be without Mohamed Hamdy, who remains sidelined after suffering an ACL injury against Benin.

Senegal enter the tie with a fully fit squad and no reported injury concerns, giving Aliou Cissé the luxury of selection continuity.

Predicted Line-ups

Egypt:

El Shenawy; Hany, Ibrahim, Rabia, Fatouh; Attia, Fathi, Adel; Salah, Marmoush, Trezeguet

Senegal:

Mendy; Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Diouf; Diarra, I. Gueye, P. Gueye; Ndiaye, Jackson, Mané

Game Prediction

This is a finely balanced contest. Egypt are crafting an underdog narrative, driven by Mohamed Salah’s determination to deliver international silverware. Senegal, however, are seasoned, cohesive and ruthless, with a blend of defensive solidity and attacking quality.

Expect a tense, tactical battle decided by fine margins a narrow 1–0 victory for Egypt.