By Samindra Kunti
February 3 – Senegal didn’t do it the easy way, but a hard-fought 3-1 victory against Burkina Faso will see the Lions of Teranga in their third Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday against either hosts Cameroon or Egypt.
It wasn’t pretty to watch, but Senegal’s economic style was enough to see off a spirited Burkina Faso. There were no goals in a slow-burning first half with chances coming at a premium. Senegal failed to fashion major chances and on the stroke of half-time Burkinabe defender Edmond Tapsoba was booked for blocking Idrissa Gueye’s attempt with his arm, but that card and penalty decision was rescinded by the referee after a VAR review.
After the break, the Senegalese took charge of the match and came alive in the final 20 minutes of the match. Goals from Abdou Diallo and Idrissa Gueye in a five-minute spell seemed to have Burkina Faso on their knees, but the underdogs rallied through a strike from Ibrahim Blati Touré.
Senegal however had more depth and Liverpool star Sadio Mane had the final say with a brilliant chip to ensure Senegal’s passage to their third final. They were runners-up in both 2019 and 2002 when current coach Aliou Cisse missed the deciding penalty.
War of words
In the other semi-final, the hosts take on record seven-time winners Egypt, the build-up to the blockbuster punctuated by a war of words between Fecafoot president Samuel Eto’o and Egypt coach Carlos Queiroz as well as the North Africans’ protest against Bakary Gassama as match referee.
The Egyptian FA, EFA, filed a complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) against the appointment of the Gambian referee, but failed to motivate the complaint. Gassama is one of Africa’s top referees. He refereed the second-leg of Egypt’s deciding World Cup playoff against Congo in 2017. The Pharaohs went on to qualify for the finals for the first time in 28 years.
There was more controversy as Egypt coach Queiroz dismissed Eto’o’s rallying cry for “war” in the semi-finals in an address to the Cameroonian team after their quarter-final victory against The Gambia. At a news conference, he said the comments were “unfortunate” and a “bad message.”
“I think he forgot that Cameroonian people died at the stadium several days ago, and so making this declaration of war before one game shows that he learned nothing from his time in professional football,” said Queiroz.
Eight people died outside the Olembe Stadium at the last-16 Cameroon vs Comoros match. Both the Cameroonian government and CAF ordered an investigation into the tragedy and the venue was stripped of the quarter-final between Egypt and Morocco. The stadium was then reinstated to host Thursday’s semi-final as well as the final.
“It was a very, very unfortunate comment because football is not about war, it’s about celebration, joy and happiness,” said Queiroz.
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