The Western Country, Senegal, has beat Egypt 4-2 on penalties to clinch their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title after the final game ended goalless following extra time.
The Liverpool forward Sadio Mane netted the winning spot-kick after his earlier penalty saved by Egypt keeper Mohamed Abou Gabal.
Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy denied Mohanad Lasheen to give Mane the chance to win it in Yaounde’s Olembe Stadium.
After two final defeats, Senegal is Africa Cup of Nations winners at last. At the same time, Egypt missed out on a record-extending eighth continental crown that would also have been a first for Salah.
Senegal coach Aliou Cisse told the reporters that winning shows hard work from his team.
“I am very emotional because the people of Senegal have wanted this trophy for 60 years.”
All four of Egypt’s knockout games went the distance. The North Africans had beaten Ivory Coast and Cameroon on penalties spots.
Egypt’s goalkeeper had saved four penalties when the match went to a shootout. Still, on this occasion, the 33-year-old ended on the losing side.
The Egyptian centre-back Mohamed Abdelmonem saw his penalty hit the left-hand upright and bounce away – but Abou Gabal immediately denied Bouna Sarr for Senegal.
However, Mane netted the last penalty with an emphatic finish into the bottom left-hand corner.
His Liverpool teammate Salah did not even have the chance to take a penalty, with the Pharaohs captain set to go fifth for his side.
Senegal’s two Nations Cup final defeats came in 2002 and 2019.
And while the Teranga Lions will celebrate finally winning the tournament, Egypt will soon have a chance for revenge, with the two sides meeting again next month in a two-legged play-off for a spot at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The Ivory Coast will host the next African Cup of Nations in June 2023 after the Confederation of African Football has changed the tournament dates from usual January.