Liverpool Star Sadio Mane Scores, Assists Goals As Senegal Reach AFCON Final [Watch]

Liverpool FC star Sadio Mane scored and assisted a goal each in Senegal’s 3-1 win over Burkina Faso on Wednesday. With the win, Senegal qualified for the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). They will either face Egypt or host Cameroon in Sunday's final.

In what turned out to be an exciting game, VAR canceled two Senegal penalties, with Burkina Faso goalkeeper Herve Koffi getting injured on the first occasion.

After a goalless first half, Abdou Diallo put Senegal 1-0 up in the 70th minute. Six minutes later, Mane set up Idrissa Gueye’s goal, who went on to double Senegal’s lead. Burkina Faso’s Blati Toure netted one to cut down the deficit but Mane ensured his side was marching on to the final.

It was Mane’s 29th goal for his country, taking him on the level with Henri Camara at the top of their all-time scorer list of Senegal. The Liverpool striker took 13 games fewer than Camara to score 29 goals.

"It shows you the momentum we have. We knew it was not going to be at all easy to get to two straight Afcon finals, but the most important for us now is to go all the way and win it, whoever we come up against. We were up against a really good Burkina side who caused us a lot of problems. We expected a tough game and it was, but we stayed calm and created lots of chances. I think we deserved to win,” Mane said in a post-match interview, according to BBC Sport.

"I think you can see on my face how happy I am, which is completely normal. I am really proud personally and very happy for myself, my teammates and the country," added Mane in the same interview.

Senegal last reached the final of the tournament in 2019, but suffered a 1-0 defeat in the hands of Algeria, courtesy of Baghdad Bounedjah’s winner.

If Egypt win their semi-final tie against Cameroon on Thursday, the final would see two of Liverpool’s best players -- Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah -- coming face to face.

Mane has been in a decent form for Liverpool as well in the 2021-22 season, having scored 10 goals and an assist in 26 appearances.

But it is Salah, who has had the spotlight on him. The Egyptian King is having one of the best seasons of his career. The former Roma forward has netted 23 goals and nine assists in 26 games for Liverpool, including a hat-trick at Old Trafford in the Premier League.