Senegal have underlined their status as one of Africa’s modern football powerhouses after booking a place in the Africa Cup of Nations final for the third time in the last four editions.

A hard-fought 1-0 victory over Egypt in the semi-finals of the 2025 AFCON sealed their latest appearance on the continent’s biggest stage, continuing a remarkable transformation in the Teranga Lions’ fortunes.

For decades, Senegal’s AFCON history was defined by near-misses. Before 2002, they had never reached a final, and even after their breakthrough appearance that year, it took another two decades for consistency at the top level to follow. Now, Senegal are regular contenders, not outsiders.

The semi-final against Egypt was tense and finely balanced, reflecting a rivalry shaped by recent finals and decisive knockout encounters. Once again, it was Sadio Mané who made the difference, delivering the decisive goal to send his country back to the final and spark celebrations among Senegalese fans in Morocco and at home.

This latest achievement highlights how far Senegal have come. From just one final in their first 14 AFCON appearances, they have now reached three finals across the last four tournaments, a statistic that speaks to stability, leadership and sustained excellence.

As they await their opponents in the final, Senegal carry not just momentum, but belief. For a generation of players who have grown accustomed to the pressure of the biggest occasions, the task now is to turn another strong run into another chapter of history.