Senegal are through to the semifinals after a tensed 3-1 victory against Burkina Faso, to remain on course for their highly sought-after maiden Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy.
Hervé Koffi with an aggressive attempt to punch the ball in his own 18-yard box almost gave Senegal the lead as Cheikhou Kouyaté was smashed down and referee Bamlak Tesema Weseya from Ethiopia awarded a penalty but overturned his decision after a lengthy VAR consultation.
However, both players involved in the incident left the pitch on stretchers with only Kouyaté returning.
It’s yet another VAR drama when Weyesa awarded another penalty after adjudging Edmond Tapsoba to have blocked a shot with his arm in the stoppage time of the first half but once again reversed his decision on visit to the side pitch monitor.
In the 69th minute, Abdou Diallo fired Senegal up with a superb strike after receiving from Kalidou Koulibaly’s overhead kick.
Seven minutes later, Sadio Mané after chasing down a lose ball, laid across for Idrissa Gueye to tap in. After Blati Touré finds the net on the 82 minutes, Sadio Mané fired a 87th minute breakaway goal to put the ‘Lions of Teranga’ on course to win their first AFCON.
The two sides have had a taste of being in an AFCON final in recent years, but it was Senegal who booked the 2021 final spot and will on Sunday face the winner between Egypt and the hosts, Cameroon.
MOLATsportgist 