The teams are in. Egypt and Senegal have named their starting line ups for tonight’s colossal AFCON 2025 semi final in Tangier, setting the stage for a Salah vs Mané rematch dripping with history.
Kick off is 5pm GMT, with a place in Sunday’s final against either Morocco or Nigeria the glittering prize. The Pharaohs are buzzing after that last gasp 3-2 win over Ivory Coast, while the Teranga Lions ground out a 1-0 victory against Mali to get here.
For Egypt, boss Rui Vitória sticks with Mohamed El Shenawy in goal. He’s got a back three of Rami Rabia, Yasser Ibrahim and Hossam Abdelmaguid, with the flying Ahmed Fatouh and Mohamed Hany as wing backs. In midfield, it’s the solid base of Hamdy Fathy and Marwan Attia, with Emam Ashour in support. Up top, all hopes rests with captain Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush.
Senegal gaffer Aliou Cissé has responded with a formidable side of his own. Edouard Mendy starts between the sticks, shielded by a back four that sees the colossal Kalidou Koulibaly partnered by Moussa Niakhaté. The engine room has the experience of Idrissa Gueye and Pape Gueye, with the craft of Habib Diarra. The big threat, of course, is in attack: Sadio Mané leads the line, flanked by Iliman Ndiaye and Habib Diallo.
This isn’t just any semi final. The mind flashes back to that tense AFCON 2021 final in Cameroon, where Senegal broke Egyptian hearts on penalties. That heartbreak is bound to be in the Pharaohs’ thoughts. For Salah, it’s a chance for revenge. For Mané and Senegal, it’s about proving they remain the continent’s top dogs.
Whoever comes through this will be battle hardened for the final. But the focus tonight is Tangier. Two giants, two iconic forwards, and one massive spot in the AFCON final up for grabs. It don’t get much bigger than this.
