As the sun sets over Tangier’s Grand Stade on Wednesday, January 14, two African football titans will collide in what promises to be a seismic semi-final at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. Former Defending champions Senegal, the Teranga Lions, face off against record seven-time winners Egypt, the Pharaohs, in a rematch laced with history, star power, and high stakes. With a spot in the Casablanca final against either hosts Morocco or Nigeria on the line, this clash revives memories of their 2021 final thriller, where Senegal triumphed on penalties to claim their maiden title.
Senegal’s journey to the last four has been a masterclass in efficiency and resilience, embodying coach Pape Thiaw’s tactical discipline. Topping Group D unbeaten with seven points—two wins and a draw—they dispatched Sudan 3-1 in the round of 16 before grinding out a 1-0 quarter-final victory over Mali, courtesy of Iliman Ndiaye’s second-half strike. The Lions have conceded just twice in five matches, anchored by captain Kalidou Koulibaly’s imperious defense and the midfield engine of Pape Matar Sarr. Up front, Sadio Mané remains the talisman, his pace and guile terrorizing opponents, while Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr provide dynamic support. Ranked 19th globally, Senegal entered as pre-tournament favorites and has lived up to the billing, blending experience from their 2021 triumph with youthful energy. Their form—four wins and a draw in the last five outings—suggests a team peaking at the right moment, unfazed by pressure.
Egypt, meanwhile, has scripted a drama of redemption, channeling the spirit of its golden eras under coach Hossam Hassan. Also unbeaten in the group stage, they finished with a win-draw-win record, edging through on goal difference.
The Pharaohs then survived a nervy round of 16 penalty shootout against DR Congo before unleashing their best performance in years: a thrilling 3-2 quarter-final upset over defending champions Ivory Coast. Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush opened the scoring early, Rami Rabia headed in a Mohamed Salah cross, and Salah himself sealed the win with a clinical finish—his fourth goal of the tournament, placing him joint-second in the scoring charts behind Morocco’s Brahim Diaz. Salah’s influence has been pivotal, evoking Egypt’s 2008 semi-final demolition of the Elephants en route to their last title. With Trezeguet and Mostafa Mohamed adding flair, Egypt’s attack is potent, though their defense has shown vulnerabilities, conceding five goals so far.
Head-to-head, the rivalry is razor-sharp: 15 meetings, with Egypt holding a slight edge (7 wins to Senegal’s 6, 2 draws). Yet recent encounters favor the Lions—victories in the 2021 final and 2022 World Cup qualifiers. Key battles abound: Mané vs. Salah, a clash of former Liverpool teammates; Koulibaly marshalling against Marmoush’s speed; and midfield duels where Senegal’s physicality could overpower Egypt’s creativity.
Based on their 2025 AFCON performances, Senegal edges it as the favorite—their defensive solidity and clinical finishing contrast with Egypt’s reliance on moments of brilliance amid occasional chaos. Expect a tight affair, but the Teranga Lions’ consistency should prevail in a 2-1 win, propelling them toward back-to-back titles. Whatever the outcome, this semi-final will etch another chapter in African football lore.
