Senegal’s Teranga Lions roar into 2021 AFCON finals

The Teranga Lions of Senegal have qualified for the finals of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Burkina Faso 3-1 last night.

Senegal will now be playing in the final for the third time in their history and their second in two tournaments as they hope to win the trophy for the first time.

• NSCDC withdraws security aides from Rep Shina Peller
• TOUCHING: Before and after images of the brave guard killed by Boko Haram’s mine

The first half was 55 minutes long, as a number of stoppages and injuries disrupted proceedings.

Idrissa Gueye and Cyrille Bayala ran into each in the opening minutes, resulting in a nasty clash of heads, though both were able to continue.

Bamba Dieng headed just wide for Senegal before the referee pointed to the spot after Herve Koffi took out Cheikhou Kouyate in the air.

However, after a VAR review, the decision was overturned as replays showed that the goalkeeper did punch the ball away, even if he did then clatter into Kouyate. The collision forced Koffi off.

After twice being denied a penalty by VAR before the break, Abdou Diallo and Bamba Dieng struck in a six-minute period to put Senegal well in control of the match.

Blati Toure pulled one back with seven minutes remaining to give Burkina Faso hope, but Sadio Mane broke away to cap off the victory with his 29th goal for his country, making him Senegal’s joint all-time top scorer as they await their opponent between Cameroon and Egypt who will the remaining semi-final match play today in Yaounde.