The so-called 'Salah curse' has struck again, leaving fans and critics alike scratching their heads. But here's where it gets controversial: Is Mohamed Salah truly destined to fall short on the international stage, or is there more to this story than meets the eye? In a fiery reunion, Sadio Mane delivered a 78th-minute dagger, securing Senegal’s 1-0 victory over Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final in Tangiers. This win not only cemented Senegal’s dominance over Egypt but also marked Mane’s third international triumph over his former Liverpool teammate Salah. And this is the part most people miss: Despite Salah’s undeniable club success, his international journey has been a tale of near misses, with this being his fifth AFCON campaign and the closest he’s come to a winner’s medal is finishing runner-up twice. Bold question: Could this recurring pattern be more than just bad luck? Senegal, the reigning champions, controlled the game with their possession-based strategy, setting up a final clash against either Morocco or Nigeria on Sunday. The Teranga Lions’ victory echoed their 2022 AFCON final and World Cup play-off wins over Egypt, both decided by penalty shoot-outs. Meanwhile, Salah was effectively neutralized by Senegal’s defense, a recurring theme in their recent encounters. For Senegal’s veteran center-back Kalidou Koulibaly, the night took a double turn for the worse. After receiving a yellow card for fouling Egypt’s Omar Marmoush—his second booking in as many matches, ruling him out of the final—he suffered an injury just six minutes later, forcing his substitution by Mamadou Sarr. The first half was a tense affair, with Senegal dictating the pace but failing to seriously test Egypt’s 37-year-old goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy. Nicolas Jackson’s attempt flew over the bar, and Pape Gueye’s low shot lacked the power to trouble the keeper. As half-time approached, tensions boiled over on the sidelines, with verbal exchanges and minor scuffles between the benches. Head coaches Pape Thiaw and Hossam Hassan intervened to restore calm, a moment that highlighted the emotional stakes of the match. Egypt’s first real threat came in added time when Salah’s free-kick delivery slipped through a crowded goalmouth and out of play. The second half saw tactical changes, with Egypt introducing Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan and Senegal bringing on Lamine Camara. Yet, the pattern persisted: Egypt sat back, content to absorb pressure, while Senegal probed for an opening. With 15 minutes left, Egypt had yet to register a shot on target or force a corner. Finally, Senegal’s persistence paid off when Mane, the two-time African Player of the Year, struck the winner. A deflected long-range effort from Camara fell to Mane, whose low shot beat El Shenawy to seal the victory. Thought-provoking question: As Salah’s international struggles continue, is it fair to label this a ‘curse,’ or are there deeper tactical and psychological factors at play? Share your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from over.
