AFCON 2025: Semi-final preview - Senegal vs Egypt, head to head and how to watch it live

Befitting of a final, the replay of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations final will take place on 14 January in Tanger. The Pharaohs are hungry for success following a 16-year AFCON drought. After winning the trophy for a third successive time in 2010, Egypt have finished runners-up twice, in 2017 where they lost to Cameroon and 2021 to Senegal's Teranga Lions.

In what is potentially star forward Mohamed Salah’s legacy tournament, a perfect send-off is on top of Egypt’s wish list. Salah has won many major honours, including the Premier League and the Champions League, but the AFCON title is a glaring omission from Salah's glittering trophy cabinet.

Egypt, though, will have to navigate the tie without Mohamed Hamdy, who has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

The trend in games between these two giants of African football since 2014 has favoured the Lions of Teranga. Four of the past five victories in this tie since 2014 have gone the way of Senegal, with Egypt sneaking in a win in the FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifiers.

Egypt will be making their third semi-final appearance in the past five editions. For Senegal, it will be their third in the past four.

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Form Guide (last five games)

Senegal ( W D W W W)

Senegal are undefeated in their last four games heading into their semifinal battle, winning four and drawing one. The Lions of Teranga have scored 11 goals in the process, keeping three clean sheets in that period while playing eye-catching football.

Still delivering great performances at the top level, Sadio Mané continues to orchestrate play for this young, flamboyant Senegalese team. The veteran forward has produced three assists and scored a goal in four games at the finals. Mane has been the heartbeat of the team, albeit taking on a more creative role that allows other players to get in on the act and find the back of the net.

The only slight blemish on Senegal’s tournament was a 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo in their second group game.

Convincing 3-0 wins against Botswana and Benin in their first and third group games is indicative of their ruthlessness. A 3-1 Round-of-16 victory over Sudan and a 1-0 triumph over Mali has led them to the semi-finals.

Egypt ( W W D W W)

Egypt narrowly squeezed past Côte d'Ivoire in the Round of 16 in a five-goal thriller. Salah has scored a career-high four goal at the finals and is only a goal away from becoming Egypt’s all-time top scorer at the AFCON, while closing in on becoming Egypt’s record scorer as well.

It hasn’t been a one-man mission, however. Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush has been in good form as well. In the quarter-final, he scored his second goal of the tournament.

But despite finding goals in tough games, Egypt have let in a few at the back. The defence has had holes in it, which Senegal could exploit.

Benin took Egypt to extra time, while Angola played out a goalless draw with the Pharaohs in their final group game.

Egypt vs Senegal head to head

Overall Record

Total meetings : 15

Egypt wins : 7

Senegal wins : 6

Draws : 2

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