Senegal have qualified for their second AFCON final in a row after a convincing 3-1 win over Burkina Faso on Wednesday.
Goals by Abdou Diallo, Idrissa Gueye and Sadio Mane were enough for Senegal to render Blati Troure’s effort for Burkina Faso a mere consolation as they reached their second successive AFCON final.
Aliou Cisse’s team had two penalties awarded in the first half only for the Ethiopian referee to change his mind both times following a VAR review.
Thus, the first 45 minutes ended in a stalemate draw, but breakthrough arrived with 20 minutes left, Kalidou Koulibaly trying an acrobatic attempt at a corner and inadvertently setting up Diallo to score, beating substitute ‘keeper Soufiane Farid Ouedraogo.
Senegal’s pressing made the second goal as Mane got to the byline and set up Gueye, who just beat Bamba Dieng to the finish.
It was always going to be a huge ask after that for the Stallions against a Senegal side who had conceded only once in the whole tournament.
However, they reduced the deficit eight minutes from time as Issa Kabore’s cross was diverted in by Toure’s knee.
Mane had the final say, though, bursting clear in the 87th minute to make it 3-1.
Senegal will now look forward to Sunday’s final as they hope to not be the first nation to lose three AFCON final matches without winning the trophy at least once.
