Senegal remains African Champions for the fourth consecutive time. The Teranga Lions won their 7th title against Egypt in the Beach Soccer 2022 AFCON final on Friday in Mozambique.
The Lions overcame the Pharaohs 6-5 in the penalty shootout, after a 2-2 draw in Vilankulo Arena.
Al Seyni Ndiaye, the tournament’s best goalkeeper, saved with the class the ball hit by Mohamed Aly Hassan, and Ninou Diatta sentenced the result with the goal that gave Senegal their fourth title, making it impossible for Egypt to win their first title.
The two nations have already secured access to World Cup participation in 2023.
A solitary goal from Seydina Diagne saw Senegal lead until the end of the first two periods. Teranga Lions, huddled in the defensive midfield area, not allowing the Pharaohs to successfully reach their goal.
Just when it seemed that the game had already been decided, the Egyptians, reaching their first final in the history of this competition, managed to score the equaliser through Hassan Hussein in the first moments of the third period.
A goal that spurred Egypt’s ambitions, re-launching the game to frenetic and emotional moments in the rectangle of the game.
At half-time, Egypt managed to turn the game around and take the lead, something that earned them their second goal, after a careless mistake by Ninou Diatta, who ended up scoring an own goal from a deflected shot hit by Egyptian goalkeeper Mohamed Ahmed (2-1).
In reply, the inevitable Senegalese team’s top scorer, Raoul Mendy, equalised with a spectacular acrobatic strike that left the opposing goalkeeper helpless. The score was 2-2. Not even three minutes of extra time were enough to find the winner of the competition.
In the penalty shootouts, Senegal proved that they are the most skilful, by winning 6-5.
This is the 7th title of African champion in the history of Senegal and the 4th consecutive (2016, 2018, 2021, 2022).
For individual awards, Seydina Diagne (Senegal) won Top scorer and Best Player trophies. The Senegalese having scored 10 goals in the tournament. Egypt won the silver medal, while Morocco clinched the bronze. Hosts Mozambique couldn’t achieve better than fourth place and Uganda in fifth.
Highlight of the game.
