The longer the game went on, the less likely it seemed that Senegal could triumph. Egypt are the masters of game-management, the kings of the shootout and Senegal, entangled in their own neuroses about having never won the tournament, seemed never quite to regain their belief after Sadio Mané missed an early penalty. But somehow, despite all the spoiling of Egypt and almost despite themselves, it was Senegal who lifted the Cup of Nations.
This was a terrible final to end what has been a largely terrible tournament, won ultimately as Mané converted in the shootout after Édouard Mendy had saved from Mohana Lasheen.
