AFCON: IT’S SENEGAL OR EGYPT

It was clear that African football will have a new champion when the Algerians were knocked out of the group stage courtesy the 3-1 loss to Ivory Coast in their last game as far as the ongoing 2021 AFCON tournament is concerned.

The Fennec Foxes of Algeria conquered African football at the last edition of the AFCON tournament in Egypt thanks to the 1-0 victory over Senegal in the final. The Algerians were one of the favourites to rule African football at the end of the 2021 AFCON tournament in Cameroon only for them to produce a poor outing. Algeria skipper RiyadMahrez from Premier League side Manchester City and his players could only record a solitary point from their three games in Group E. They were stunned to a goalless draw by Sierra Leone before the 1-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea. The aforementioned loss to the Ivorians sealed their fate in the group as they exited the tournament unexpectedly.

In the absence of holders Algeria, Senegal and Egypt have taken the headlines all the way to the final. The two teams would meet at the weekend to determine who will rule African football for the next two years.

Egypt began the tournament with a disappointing 1-0 defeat to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Group D, but they have been able to recover from that loss to take their place in the final. They beat Guinea-Bissau and Sudan by the odd goal before seeing off Ivory Coast on penalties in the last 16. The Egyptians have played 120 minutes in all their knockout games at the tournament. Egypt beat Morocco in the quarterfinals 2-1 at the end of extra time to seal a semi-final berth. They qualified for the final thanks to the heroics of second choice goalkeeper Gabaski. He was the hero as Egypt beat hosts Cameroon 3-1 on penalties to seal a final meeting with Senegal and the chance to win a record-extending eight AFCON win.

On their part, Senegal finished top of Group B before they saw off Cape Verde, Gambia and Burkina Faso to reach the final where they can win their first AFCON title.