The Africa Cup of Nations final has been set in stone after two intriguing, and very different, semi-finals took place earlier this week. The tournament has been full of twists and turns ever since it got underway just a matter of weeks ago and now, there are just two countries remaining in the race to claim the gold.
The semi-final we’re going to be taking a look at transpired between Burkina Faso and Senegal, and in the end, it was the favourites who came away with a 3-1 win and another chance at lifting the AFCON trophy.
Senegal won’t quit
They had two penalties ruled out for VAR to go alongside a whole host of other chances but with the minutes ticking down, they didn’t allow that to affect their confidence. Senegal stuck to their guns and believed they would find the breakthrough which, of course, they did. They’ve got the kind of focus that should be enough to strike fear into any team, especially when they haven’t won this title before.
Brave Burkina Faso
Yes, they conceded three goals in a semi-final, but it took until the last 20 minutes of the game until Senegal were finally able to break Burkina Faso down in the way they’d been hoping to. Even when they went 2-0 down, they still managed to pull one back and keep it as competitive as possible – which is a testament to why they’re going to be a nation to watch as the years go on.
Favourites established?
Egypt may have done well to knock out Cameroon in their own semi but it took them until penalties to do so. Those extra 30 minutes aren’t exactly going to do wonders for them and with Senegal also having an extra day of rest, we’d say they’re positioned nicely as the favourites to win the whole thing. Egypt could spring a surprise but right now, that’s the direction we’re leading in as we head into the weekend.
