Senegal vs Egypt: Tactics, Squad News, and Predictions

The Africa Cup of Nations tournament reaches the critical phase, and the focus will be on Tangier as the Senegal national side prepares to face Egypt in a heavyweight semi-final showdown on Wednesday, the 14th of January.

Both sides have a rich pedigree, making for an interesting and exciting match.

Senegal and Egypt have progressed to this point with nearly identical paper qualifications, having won four out of five matches each.

However, an analysis of their campaigns has again painted two different pictures for the two teams, with Senegal having dominated matches with authority and Egypt making it with hard-fought margins and last-minute interventions.

With the tournament progressing towards its end, the stakes will hardly be higher anywhere else.

Senegal is chasing consistency and dominance, while Egypt is leaning on experience and star power to navigate another tight contest.

Senegal’s Tactical Edge and Tournament Progress

Ranked second in Africa, just behind hosts Morocco, Senegal is pushing to reach a third AFCON final in the last four editions.

Their campaign has also been characterized by efficiency at both ends of the pitch.

They exhibited composure with control during the group stage, winning two matches and drawing one of their games in their group.

Knockout stages, in turn, reinforced these qualities.

Pape Thiaw’s side eased past Sudan with a convincing victory in the round of 16 before grinding out a narrow but disciplined win over Mali in the quarter-final.

Their offensive strength is demonstrated by their scoring of eleven goals in five games, with three clean sheets and having conceded only two goals.

Recent history also supports the Lions of Teranga.

They have emerged victorious in some recent meetings, especially the one that ended the Egypt World Cup journey in the last World Cup.

Interestingly, Egypt has struggled to score goals against the Lions of Teranga, managing an average of one goal in the last five meetings.

Also Read: Morocco vs Nigeria: Tactics, Squad, News And Predictions

Egypt’s Route, Strengths, and Concerns

Egypt’s route to the semis has been anything but straightforward.

While their Group stage result has been similar to that of Senegal, their display has left a few questions unanswered, with some very late goals, penalties, and a goalless draw indicating a lack of cohesion as a unit.

The knockout phase followed a similar pattern.

Egypt needed extra time to overcome Benin before edging past Cote d’Ivoire in a dramatic quarter-final, despite briefly holding a commanding lead.

The other areas where they still need to improve are in their game management and certain defensive lapses, especially when the opponent is a well-drilled unit like the Senegalese.

Key Players, Squad News & Lineups

And it is a fully fit squad that heads into the clash, a welcome situation for Thiaw.

Captain Sadio Mane has been central to their creativity, leading the assist charts for his team.

Contributions have also come from Iliman Ndiaye, Nicolas Jackson, and midfielders Idrissa Gueye and Pape Gueye, ensuring balance across the pitch.

Egypt’s hopes once again rest heavily on Mohamed Salah.

The Liverpool forward is competing for the Golden Boot and stands on the brink of a historic AFCON scoring milestone.

Support will come from Omar Marmoush, while defensive adjustments are expected following an injury setback at left-back.

Also Read: AFCON 2025 Semifinalists: What Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria and Senegal Will Take Home

Prediction

The Senegal side looks more united, technically organized, and compact at the back.

The pedigree of Egypt and the presence of Mohamed Salah must not be underestimated, although recent form tips the balance in favor of the West Africans.

Prediction: Senegal 1-0. There is going to be a tight contest between the two sides, but Senegal has the experience and quality to qualify for the final of the AFCON.

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