The Pharaohs and the Lions of Teranga face off this Sunday, February 6 (7 p.m. GMT), in the final of CAN 2021. The former are aiming for an eighth coronation while the latter seek to register their name for the first time continental competition.
Egypt or Senegal? Who will collect the continental trophy?
CAN 2021 is on its way. Despite the attempted scuttling the day before departure, the permanent swell which made it rock at times and the other headwinds which whipped it, the flagship of African football competitions arrived at its destination. As expected, he completed the course in 29 days and crossed five cities in Cameroon at least three times (Yaoundé, Douala, Garoua, Bafoussam and Limbé). All that remains is to take the final step: the final. The last game of the tournament. Who will oppose, this Sunday, February 6 (19h GMT), at the Olembe stadium in Yaoundé, Egypt in Senegal. Two great potential winners, but not the most anticipated at the start.
Algeria, defending champions, had the favor of the forecasts. But that was before the start of the competition. It will be out in the first round after a draw (0-0), against Sierra Leone, and two defeats, against Equatorial Guinea (1-0) and Côte d’Ivoire (3-1). Cameroon, five continental titles in box and host country, was seen at least until the final. It will stop in half. Morocco, who went clear in the first round and in the eighth, with successful performances at the key, also seemed cut out for the title. He won’t cross the quarters. By correcting (3-1) Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire had recovered some credibility. But it will not be confirmed in the eighth.
Power up
Egypt and Senegal did not attract much attention. The Pharaohs are the most successful team on the continent with seven AFCONs. The Lions have been the African number 1 in the FIFA rankings for 38 months. But with their dull performances during the first matches of the tournament, these two formations did not have the head of future finalists.
Beaten (1-0) by Nigeria, Egypt then recovered. Dominating, on the same score (1-0), Guinea-Bissau (2nd day) and Sudan (3rd). But it was without convincing. Indeed, his game plan remained vague and the connection between Mohamed Salah and his teammates seemed shaky. It is from the second round that the Pharaohs have been embellished. Suddenly becoming better structured in the game and more efficient. Both offensively and defensively. Ivory Coast (8th), Morocco (1/4) and Cameroon (1/2) will learn this at their expense.
Senegal experienced the same progression on turbo. At the start of the tournament, the Lions did not present the job profile. They qualified in the second round with only five points (1 win and 2 draws), a goal scored and any game. Against Malawi (0-0, 3rd day, group B), there was a slight improvement. But, like the Pharaohs, it was from the tower that they honored their status as giants of Africa. They sweep Cape Verde (2-0, 8th), Equatorial Guinea (3-1, quarter) and Burkina Faso (3-1, half). With a more fluid and resolutely offensive game.
Twelve confrontations, four in CAN
It is these two teams with a sluggish start that will face each other tonight for the title of African champion. The Pharaohs are aiming for an eighth star on their jersey. They failed in 2017 against Cameroon to regain the continental trophy lost in 2012 after an unprecedented hat-trick (2006, 2008 and 2010). The Teranga Lions, for their part, are seeking to put their name on the competition list for the first time. This is their third attempt at the final after failures in 2002 and 2019.
Their coach, Aliou Cissé, captain 20 years ago and on the bench three years ago, has not been forgotten. “We have to concentrate on the final, play it well and thus succeed in our match, he suggested in a pre-match press conference. We have lost two finals in the past, but this time we will approach the game with more determination. ”
Egypt and Senegal have met twelve times, including four in the CAN finals. The Egyptians have won six times against four victories for the Senegalese. Two draws sanctioned the face-to-face between the two countries. Their last confrontation in the continental competition dates back to 2006. The Pharaohs, on their soil, had taken out the Lions in the semi-finals. The two teams meet sixteen years later for the first time in the final CAN. They will meet next March for their double confrontation as part of the 2022 World Cup play-offs.
“We are determined to take the crown.”
The CAN 2021 finalists are spared from Covid-19. But if Senegal will present themselves at the Olembe stadium with their full team, Egypt will have to deal without four of their players. They are the goalkeeper, Mohamed El Shanawy, and the defenders Akram Taoufik, Ahmed Hegazy and Omar Kamal. The first three are injured while the fourth is suspended for cumulative yellow cards. And to the absence of these players is added that of their coach, Carlos Queiroz. The Portuguese technician was excluded in the semi-final against Cameroon.
Another pitfall for the Egyptians: physical fatigue. The Pharaohs eliminated Ivory Coast, Morocco and Cameroon each time after 120 minutes. It leaves traces in the body. Especially since they have one day less than the Teranga Lions. “It is true that we are tired after several games played until extra time and the various trips since the start of the tournament,” agrees the Egyptian team manager, Wael Gomaa.
But assuring the former Pharaohs defender, this handicap will be victorious. “The players will surpass themselves to win the title, he assures. The main thing for us is to win the trophy and offer it to all the Egyptian people who have been supporting us for several months. I would like to thank the medical staff who do a titanic job to prepare all the players after each match.
Mohamed Salah echoes: “After a lost final in 2017 against Cameroon, we will play against Senegal to win an eighth star. We are determined to take the crown. The players are physically and mentally ready. We are here to fight for the title and that means a lot to us. We want to offer a title to all Egyptian citizens. “
Wrong duel
In the opposite camp, the same determination is required. Even if we do not lose sight of the quality of the opponent. “We prepared well for our final with determined and confident players to put in a good performance, confides Aliou Cissé. We will approach this final with determination against a great Egyptian team. We know our opponents well. They have their own game philosophy with experienced players.
The captain of the Lions, Kalidou Koulibaly, did not say anything else. “After the final round of the 2019 final (which is not yet to be decided, Ndlr), it is time to look at the history of Senegalese football, the Naples defender. The most important thing for me is to offer the trophy to Senegal and the Senegalese people. We have to realize that we are not, we want to win the final. This will definitely be the most important match of my career. And for some as a baby gets older, he or she will outgrow this.
Senegal-Egypt, which is also the duel between Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah. Liverpool’s best players have played a central role in qualifying for the Champions League final. Le Senégalais marqué trois fois et délivré deux passes décisives. The Egyptians scorched the deuce reprises and donné un caviar. The Reds will try to get rid of the continental trophy premier in the selection. A title of champion of Africa with permission, especially, of the best figure or pro Ballains d’Or africain and France Football.
The final of the CAN 2021 will be arbitrated by South African Victor Gomes. They have a hand in the victory of the victory (3-1) of Senegal on the Equatorial Guinea in the quarterfinals. Gomes prend sa revanche sur l’histoire. Designed to officiate in the final of the CAN 2019 final (Algeria-Senegal: 1-0), they will retire at the final minute. The reason for the change is not precise. At the same time, the catastrophe has led to a more prestigious post-continental tournament.
Egypt or Senegal? Who will collect the continental trophy?
Written by Diane NINAHAZWE
eastafricanreport.com
