AFCON 2021 (First Semi-final):
- Senegal 3-1 Burkina Faso
Senegal beat Burkina Faso 3-1 during the first semi-final of the AFCON 2021 at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde on Wednesday.
Abdou Diallo, Bamba Dieng and Sadio Mane scored the goal for the Teranga Lions who progressed to the second successive Afcon.
Blati Toure scored the consolation for the Stallions.
Diallo broke the deadlock after 70 minutes as he controlled the ball and swept in a low shot following Kalidou Koulibaly’s earlier attempt for an overhead kick.
Six minutes later, Mane did the donkey work on the byline and squared for Dieng who slid home the tap-in as Idrissa Gueye also closed in.
Blati Toure pulled back a goal for Burkina Faso in the 82nd minute off a cross by Kabore.
Mane capped the icing on the cake with a decent chip off the left foot following a quick counterattack.
Burkina Faso suffered a major injury blow after the half hour mark when Koffi was hit hard in an aerial collision with Kouyate and forced off the pitch on a stretcher. Farid Ouedraogo replaced him in the 35th minute.
There was drama as the referee initially awarded a penalty to Senegal for a hand-ball against Tapsoba, though a VAR review convinced Bamlak Tessem Wetesa that he had been overly harsh in his decision and he duly rescinded the spot kick.
Hosts Cameroon take on record winners Egypt in the second semi-final on Thursday night.
Senegal shall take on the winner (between Cameroon and Egypt) during the final slated for Sunday, 6th February 2022 at the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde.
Team Line Ups:
Burkina Faso: Koffi (F. Ouedraogo 35’), Kabore, E. Tapsoba, Dayo, Yago, Toure, Sangare, Guira (Dj. Ouattara 81’), Bayala (Z. Sanogo 60’), B. Traore, Bande (F. Tapsoba 81’)
Senegal: E. Mendy, B. Sarr, Koulibaly, A. Diallo, Ciss, Kouyate (P. Gueye 65’), I. Gueye, N. Mendy (Cisse 90+2’), Dieng (P. Sarr 77’), Sadio Mane, Diedhiou (I. Sarr 65’)