AFCON semi-final reveals stark contrast between Egypt and SenegalFoot AfricaWed, January 14, 2026 at 12:35 AM UTC·1 min readEgypt & Senegal embody two paths
AFCON semi-final reveals stark contrast between Egypt and Senegal
Senegal enter Wednesday’s AFCON 2025 semi-final against Egypt with squad dominated by overseas professionals.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe last four meeting brings together two historic power of African football. Egypt booked their place with 3 - 2 win over Ivory Coast while Senegal edged Mali 1 - 0. The winner will advance to the final to face either Morocco or Nigeria.
What sets this duel apart is the makeup of the two squad. Senegal arrive with roster built almost entirely abroad featuring 20 player active in Europe’s top five league. Egypt by comparison rely heavily on domestic based talent, with only three player currently plying their trade outside the Arab world.
Mohamed Salah captured the contrast with smile after the quarter final.
“The coach said we have ‘one and a quarter professionals’” he joked. “Now we are three quarters of professional team”
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AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe remark referred to the reality that Salah, Omar Marmoush and Mostafa Mohamed are not regular starters at their clubs this season.
Senegal’s list reads like European roll call. Ten player operate in Ligue 1 including Yahia Diouf, Moussa Niakhaté, Krépin Diatta and rising striker Ibrahim Mbaye.
Six more feature in the Premier League, among them Idrissa Gueye, Pape Matar Sarr and Ismaïla Sarr. Others are spread across Spain, Germany and Italy while Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly and Édouard Mendy form high profile trio in Saudi Arabia.
Egypt and Senegal have met five time in the African Cup of Nations, with the Lions of Teranga winning three times and Pharaohs winning twice.
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