‘This will be exciting’

Liverpool teammates Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are getting ready to face off against each other in the Africa Cup of Nations final in Cameroon this weekend after Egypt beat the hosts on penalties on Thursday to set up a clash with SenegalEgyptian captain Salah did not need to step up in the semifinal shootout as Cameroon failed three times from the spot allowing the Pharaohs to win 31 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes hereSenegal forward Sadio ManeThat was after Mane starred with a goal and an assist as Senegal overcame Burkina Faso to win 31 in the first semifinal a day earlier Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp could have been forgiven for wishing both players had been knocked out of the tournament sooner so they could return to Anfield but he expressed delight for the attacking duo on FridaylsquoGreat achievementrsquoldquoIt is a great achievement for both getting through to the finalrdquo Klopp said ahead of his teamrsquos FA Cup tie against Cardiff on Sunday That game will be played just a few hours before the Cup of Nations climax at the Olembe StadiumLiverpool boss KloppldquoSo far itrsquos been a really successful tournament for our boys It will be exciting Now itrsquos obviously not so easy because one will definitely be really happy after and the other one much less so but both have a good chance to achieve something really bigrdquoIt will be a second AFCON final appearance for Salah a member of the Egypt team beaten by Cameroon in the 2017 showpiece in LibrevilleMane has endured similar disappointment at the Cup of Nations playing in the Senegal team that lost to Algeria in the final in 2019 The Lions of Teranga are Africarsquos topranked national team but have never been continental champions in stark contrast to Egypt and their record seven titles Both players have already starred in Cameroon with Mane netting three times for Senegal and setting up goals in both the quarterfinal against Equatorial Guinea and the semifinalSalah has scored two goals and converted the decisive penalty in Egyptrsquos shootout win over the Ivory Coast in the Last 16 He was shut out of most of the semifinal by the Cameroon defence but Egypt hope he will be lead them to victory on SundayEgypt coach confidentldquoSalah is not only the best player in Egypt but a worldclass player and his presence is a boost for the other members of the teamrdquo said Egypt assistant coach Diaa alSayed after coach Carlos Queiroz was sent off in the semis ldquoHe is a guide and a leader His presence is so crucial for us He came here to win and we hope he willrdquoEgypt want final to be delayed by a dayYaounde Egypt called on Africa Cup of Nations organisers to delay this weekendrsquos final against Senegal to give them more time to prepare after overcoming hosts Cameroon on penalties in Thursdayrsquos semifinal ldquoI want to state to all CAF authorities that Senegal have one extra day to train and therefore maybe we should play the final on Mondayrdquo suggested Egyptrsquos assistant coach Diaa alSayed who was speaking after coach Carlos Queiroz was shown a red card during the semifinalThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever