AFCON 2021: The Lions of Teranga roar to the final!

Sadio Mane is one of the best players in the world. And one of the reasons he's so good is that he's always ready to prove his ability. Nothing is taken for granted, nothing is given – everything has to be earned. Mane produced a marvellous performance as his Senegal team overcome Burkina Faso to reach the Africa Cup of Nations final.

After an even opening half, Senegal found another gear and scored three goals in space of 15 minutes to break down the brave Stallions, who could only reduce the deficit to 2-1 and provide a glimmer of hope that was rapidly extinguished by Mane.

Head bumps and headbangers were the talk of the game as Senegal and Burkina Faso cancelled each other out. The fans in Yaounde haven't even taken their seats yet when Nampalys Mendy and Cyrille Bayala ran into each other awkwardly with both men ending up on the ground. The former couldn't continue, so the Senegal coach Aliou Cisse was forced into an early change.

Another horror clash came at the half four mark as Burkina Faso goalkeeper Herve Koffi went for a high ball with Cheikhou Kouyate and seemingly punched the Crystal Palace midfielder in the head. The referee pointed to the spot, but it was the goalkeeper who suffered from the encounter as he landed on his head with Kouyate falling on top of him. VAR review overturned the penalty decision, but Koffi has had to go off on a stretcher and was replaced by Farid Ouedraogo.

Thu 22.00: (2.30) Cameroon (3.05) Egypt (3.80)

It was an even game for an hour, but then the Lions of Teranga started to squeeze. They weren't interested in extra time and penalties. Sadio Mane, Gana Gueye and the other Senegalese stars wanted to get the job done in time.

Bouna Sarr and Saliou Ciss were there to do the dirty work and stop any Stallions' attack in whatever way – even if it meant earning yellow cards. The steel in the midfield allowed the attacking players to push forward until Burkina Faso's defensive wall finally started to crumble.

With 20 minutes left, Abdou Diallo controlled the ball that fell nicely for him after a Kalidou Koulibaly header and stabbed into the net to give his team the deserved lead.

Only five minutes had passed since the opening goal and the game looked as good as over as Paris Saint-Germain man Idrissa 'Gana' Gueye side-footed one of the easiest goals of his career after some terrific work and a cut-back from Sadio Mane. It was 2-0.

Ibrahim Biatti Toure squeezed a goal at the near post to ensure a thrilling ending to the match, but Mane was having none of that. A mix-up in midfield released the Liverpool star, who darted towards to goal and lifted the ball over the Ouedraogo to put the game beyond doubt.

Senegal are in the final!

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS 2021

Semi-final

Wednesday

Burkina Faso - Senegal 1-3 (0-0)

/Toure 82 - Diallo 70, Gana Gueye 76, Mane 87/

Thursday

22.00: (2.30) Cameroon (3.05) Egypt (3.80)

***odds are subject to change