YAOUNDÉ (AFP) – Senegal are through to a second consecutive Africa Cup of Nations final after breaking Burkina Faso hearts in their last-four tie in Yaounde early yesterday, Abdou Diallo, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Sadio Mane scoring second-half goals to secure a 3-1 victory.
Africa’s top-ranked national team, Senegal will find out their opponents in Sunday’s final today, when hosts Cameroon take on Egypt in the second semi.
“We dedicate this win to our people,” said Senegal coach Aliou Cisse.
“We are really satisfied this evening. Our objective is to win the trophy because that is what the boys deserve given everything they have put into this.” Cisse’s side had two penalties awarded in the first half only for the Ethiopian referee to change his mind both times following a VAR review.
However, they went ahead just after the midway point in the second period when Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) defender Diallo popped up in the box to produce a striker’s finish.
The second arrived on 76 minutes as Mane provided a superb assist for Gueye, also of PSG, to score, and Mane completed the win late on after Blati Toure had pulled a goal back.
