CAN 2022: Thanks to Mendy, his goalkeeper, Senegal crowned for the first time at the end of the suspense

A victorious penalty shootout concluded by Sadio Mané and an anomaly finally repaired.

After the two lost finals (2002, 2019), Senegal finally won the first CAN in its history by beating Egypt in the final.

In Dakar, Saint-Louis and in all the streets of the cities of the country, the horns resounded until the end of the night.

Read alsoMané offers the CAN to Senegal, relive the final against Egypt

Marked by the tragedy of Olembé (eight deaths before the Cameroon - Comoros match on January 24), and the controversies and the many hiccups in its organization, this CAN 2022 will have kept all its promises on the ground.

More closed, this final nevertheless delivered a fine winner, with a united collective and offensive qualities despite not having always been brilliant in the game.

Abou Bagal saves a Mané penalty

In Cairo, there may soon be a statue built representing Mohamed Abou Bagal known as "Gabaski".

At 33, he went in a few days from the status of 2nd goalkeeper to that of national hero.

The "big dam", as it is now nicknamed in Egypt, had already proved decisive during the penalty shootouts against Côte d'Ivoire in the 8th (one save) and Cameroon in the semis (2 saves).

And it is still the goalkeeper of Zamalek, 7th selection only, who is already tipping this final by stopping the penalty from Sadio Mané (6th)

If Senegal had control of the game and proved to be dominating, Egypt, with experience, often manages to break the rhythm.

Suspended and in the stands, Carlos Queiroz, the Portuguese coach of the Pharaohs, often on the phone with his staff, sees Mohamed Salah forcing Edouard Mendy to a big stop (43rd).

Egypt's 4th extra time

But it is Gabaski who continues his show by showing himself imperial in the feet of Mané (53rd) then Diedhiou (56th).

With three consecutive extensions in the legs (Ivory Coast, Morocco, Cameroon) and one day less recovery after playing Thursday, Egypt nevertheless manages to contain the Senegalese offensives well while being very dangerous on a header of Marwan (75th).

From the start of extra time - therefore the 4th for Egypt, the incredible Gabaski (8 saves in total) was again decisive twice against Marseille's Bamba Dieng (91st, 100, 115th).

But during the penalty shootout, he let Édouard Mendy put on the hero's costume.

The European champion with Chelsea stops Lascheen's attempt after seeing Abdelmonem's hit the post.

Two sacred PSG players

Aliou Cissé is no longer cursed.

The Teranga Lions coach, a former PSG player, was on the pitch in 2002 and then on the bench to lead his players in 2019, during the lost finals.

Abdou Diallo and Idrissa Gueye succeed Serge Aurier (Ivory Coast in 2015) and Selim Benachour (Tunisia 2004) the first two players in the history of PSG to win the CAN.

Remaining in the stands during this final, Moustapha Name is the first player from Paris FC (L2) to be crowned African champion.

The two teams will play a "rematch" on March 24 and 29 during the World Cup qualifying play-offs with one of the five Africa zone tickets for Qatar at stake.