Senegal overcome Burkina Faso to set up possible Sadio Mane vs Mohamed Salah AFCON final
BURKINA FASO 1-3 SENEGAL: Sadio Mane contributed a goal and an assist as his side left it late but booked their spot in the AFCON final, where they may face Mohamed Salah's Egypt
Sadio Mane grabbed a goal and an assist as Senegal overcame Burkina Faso to book their spot in the Africa Cup of Nations final on Wednesday night.
Senegal were kept at bay until the 70th minute before breaking down their stubborn opponents to set up a potential clash with Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah in Sunday's showdown.
Paris Saint-Germain defender Abdou Diallo found the breakthrough by reacting fastest to a loose ball from a corner to rifle into the back of the net.
Diallo's PSG teammate Idrissa Gueye soon joined him on the scoresheet after Mane set him up from close range following tenacious work to pinch the ball on the byline.
The Liverpool No. 10 then secured Senegal's spot in the final with a composed finish after Blati Toure briefly gave Burkina Faso hope.
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Senegal were made to wait for their lead having seen two penalties chalked off in the first half.
They were awarded their first spot kick just after the half-hour mark when goalkeeper Herve Koffi clattered into Cheikhou Kouyate while looking to punch the ball clear on the edge of his area.
Crystal Palace stalwart Kouyate required treatment as the referee was summoned to the pitchside monitor after many minutes of deliberation from the VAR.
The official then chose to overturn his decision as replays showed Koffi managed to connect with the ball before the opposition player.
Kouyate was able to continue despite being stretchered off but, during an action-packed few minutes at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Koffi soon required similar treatment resulting in his substitution.
Farid Ouedraogo was sent on as the replacement goalkeeper and he was called into action by Mane later in the first half, making a strong save at his near post.
Burkina Faso's best moment of the first half came during a swift counter-attack when Aston Villa forward Bertrand Traore forced Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy into an 18th-minute save.
Deep into the six minutes added on prior to the interval, Senegal were awarded another penalty as Edmond Tapsoba was deemed to have stopped a shot with his arm.
But another pitchside review had the same outcome as the first - with Tapsoba's arm not in an unnatural position - and Mane's side were frustrated once again.
Senegal eventually found a way through via Diallo and Gueye all but secured progression to the final six minutes later.
Burkina Faso grabbed a deserved goal to halve the deficit via Blate Toure's knee from a cross, but Mane was on hand to restore the cushion with a delightful dinked finish in the closing minutes.
The result means Senegal's quest for their first AFCON triumph continues, having lost finals in 2002 and 2019, while 2013 runners-up Burkina Faso will have to settle for a spot in the third-place play-off, which will be played ahead of Sunday's final.
The two nations will discover their opponents on Thursday evening as hosts Cameroon face off with Salah's Egypt.