The Teranga Lions of Senegal have marched into the grand finale of the 2021 edition of the Total Africa Cup of Nations after trouncing the Stallions of Burkina Faso by three goals to one in a West African affair.
The Senegalese relied heavily on Liverpool forward, Sadio Mane for creativity throughout the match and it yielded results.
The Lions of Teranga tested goalkeeper Herve Koffi in the early stages of the game luck was not on their side at the time. Bamba Dieng fluffed his lines when an opportunity was presented on a plate for him by left back Saliou Cisse in the first half, to the relief of Herve Koffi. The Burkinabes lifted up their performance as the game progressed as Boureima Bande called Edouard Mendy into action in the first half.
Burkina Faso were dealt a heavy blow in the 36th minute as Herve Koffi, who has been regarded as one of the tournament’s best goalkeepers was forced off after he collided with Cheiku Kouyate in the penalty area. The incident had left supporters from both sides waiting with bated breath amidst the referee’s long consultations with VAR. After about four minutes of temporary holdup, no foul was awarded to either team.
Another drama greeted the match inside the first half’s stoppage time as centre back Edmond Tapsoba was initially booked for allowing Iddrissa Gueye’s strike to hit his elbow. But after minutes of consultations with VAR once more, the decision was overturned.
Senegal returned from the break relentless in their quest to get the goal that will take them to the finals, were denied by the studious Burkinabes’ defense.
After seventy minutes of huffing and puffing, Senegal finally found a breakthrough through Abdou Diallo’s volley in the penalty area of Burkina Faso. Aliou Cisse’s charges doubled their advantage in the 76th minute as Sadio Mane dazzled from the left side of attack to tee up Iddrissa Gana Gueye, who converted it brilliantly into the back of the net.
The stallions pulled one back in the 82nd minute as Blaiti Toure converted Kabore’s cross from the right-hand side into a goal to give his team hopes of a comeback. But unfortunately for Kamou Malo’s men, Sadio Mane this time round, benefited from Ismaila Sarr’s pass from the counter to score from close range in the 87th, to leave them(Burkina Faso) with a tall mountain to climb. Burkina Faso tried their best possible to at least reduce the tally but time was completely against them as it ended 3-1 in favour of Senegal.
Senegal awaits the winner of the Egypt-Cameroon game in the final while Burkina Faso will have to settle in for a third-placed match. Senegal made it to the final in 2002, they also got to this stage in 2019 but the AFCON trophy has eluded them; they lost to Cameroon on Penalties and 0-1 to Algeria in 2002 and 2019 respectively.
Burkina Faso on the other hand, made it to the final in 2013 for the first time in their history where they lost 0-1 to Nigeria.
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