Ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations final, we take a look at three players who could lead their team to victory when Senegal take on Egypt at the Olembe Stadium on Sunday evening.
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Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Despite having a slow start to the tournament, the Liverpool star has played a crucial role in helping his side reach the final. Salah has been ever-present in the squad and played every game to this point while chipping in with two goals and assists in six matches.
The Pharaohs will depend on Salah to find his best form and produce the good as they look to oust Senegal to clinch their first title since 2010 and further extended their record as the most successful nation in the tournament by winning their eighth Afcon crown.
Sadio Mane (Senegal)
He has by far been Senegal’s best player at the tournament and his experience and his eye for creating and scoring goals, coupled with three goals and two assists in six matches has helped the Lions of Teranga book their place in the final.
Having never won or tasted glory in the Afcon, Senegal will look to Mane to step up and stamp his authority in the final as they look to secure their first Afcon title after they failed to win the title in 2019 finishing runners up to Algeria, who were crowned champions in that tournament.
Edouard Mendy (Senegal)
Although the Chelsea goalkeeper missed the first two group stage games of the tournament, Mendy has since been present in their remaining fixtures leading up to this clash, in which he has kept two clean sheets in four games, while only conceding two goals in the process.
The 29-year-old will be hoping to continue his current form heading into the final as Senegal will look to him to keep out any onslaught of attacks from the likes of Mohamed Salah, Trezeguet and Omar Marmoush.
Should the game go to penalties, Mendy has ample experience to inspire his side to victory and be the star of the final.