CAN 2022: facing the Egyptian juggernaut, Senegal dreams of a first historic coronation

Cheikhou Kouyaté and Sadio Mané will play their second straight final against Egypt on Sunday February 6, 2022. AFP - CHARLY TRIBALLEAU

Text by: Ndiasse Sambe Follow

3 mins

Senegal, which is gaining momentum, is playing the third CAN final in its history this Sunday, February 6, 2022 against Egypt, blunted by three extensions.

The Lions who seem to have the favors of the forecasts have every interest in being wary of the Pharaohs, who defeated Cameroon in the semi-finals, and never as strong as when everything seems to be against them.

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From our special correspondent in Yaoundé,

“ 

 ”.

The phrase has become a rallying cry on Senegalese social networks with supporters dreaming of Senegal's first CAN victory on Sunday against Egypt.

But to win this coveted star, it will be necessary to climb the pharaonic mountain, rooted in 7 titles of African champions, a record and a culture of victory incomparable on the continent.

To hope to climb on the roof of Africa, the Lions will have to dismiss a team broken under pressure, which knows better than anyone how to win.

The Covid, an evil for a good?

The Lions find themselves in the CAN final for the third time and after two failures (2002, 2019), hope to finally bring the Cup back to Dakar.

The planets seem aligned this time for Senegal, undefeated since the start of the tournament, whose rise in power is real and visible since the round of 16.

The cases of Covid in the den at the start of the tournament, which had sidelined pillars like Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Nampalys Mendy or Gana Gueye, seem to have been a blessing in disguise for a group which is reaching cruising speed. later than the others.

Senegal arrives in the final without having played any extra time, unlike their opponents who have accumulated three, the equivalent of a whole match more and one day less of rest.…

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But it's Egypt in front.

A team capable of being tossed about on the first day by Nigeria (1-0) and resurrecting after the first round.

We do not eliminate Côte d'Ivoire, Morocco and especially Cameroon by chance or luck.

This denotes a know-how and/or an awareness of its limits and its qualities.

This Egypt, sketched with the baton of Carlos Quieroz renowned defensive coach, is formidable to thwart the teams, push them to the limit or on penalties.

Cissé: “Managing emotions”

Senegal will have two assets to put an end to the dream of winning an eighth title for the Egyptians.

Sadio Mané, first.

The Liverpool striker who is playing his fourth CAN seems to be on a mission to win this African Cup.

With three goals and two assists, not to mention a major influence on the pitch, the number 10 of the Lions assumes his role as leader and guide.

Then Aliou Cissé, after losing two finals, as a player and captain (2002) and coach (2019), certainly has an idea of ​​what it would take to avoid the pass of three.

“ 

.

»

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The Pharaohs, certainly blunted, will still rely on their collective discipline and their master to play Mo Salah whose

 ”, according to Kalidou Koulibaly.

Sunday at 7 p.m. UT, all of Senegal will expect success from its Lions and all of Africa will see if determination and desire will overcome the force of habit.

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• CAN

• AFCON 2022

• AFCON 2021

• Senegal

• Egypt

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