Wed Jan 14 10:40:00 UTC 2026: ### Egypt and Senegal Clash in Highly Anticipated AFCON Semifinal

The Story:
Egypt and Senegal are set to face off in the first semifinal of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Wednesday, with Egypt aiming for a record-extending eighth title and Senegal looking to add to their 2021 triumph. The match features a renewal of the rivalry between Liverpool superstars Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, as both teams boast significant talent and depth. The winner will face either Nigeria or Morocco in the final.

Key Points:

  • The match is between Egypt and Senegal, taking place at Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier, Morocco on Wednesday at 6pm (17:00 GMT).
  • Mohamed Salah is aiming for his first AFCON title with Egypt, who have won the tournament seven times.
  • Senegal, ranked 19th in the world, won the 2021 AFCON and features stars like Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly.
  • Egypt and Senegal have met 15 times previously, with Egypt holding a slight edge of seven wins to Senegal’s six.
  • The teams last met in a March 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff, where Senegal won on penalties.
  • Key players for Senegal include Nicolas Jackson, Pape Gueye, Cherif Ndiaye, Sadio Mane and Iliman Ndiaye.
  • Key players for Egypt include Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush, Rami Rabia, and Hamdi Fathi.

Key Takeaways:

  • The match represents a significant clash between two of Africa’s football powerhouses.
  • The individual rivalry between Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane adds further intrigue to the contest.
  • The winner will be in a strong position to claim the AFCON title, given the pedigree of both teams.

    Read More