Senegal Advance to AFCON Final, Await Nigeria, Algeria

A Dylan Bronn own-goal in the first half of extra time has sent the Teranga Lions through to the Final of the Total Africa Cup of Nations.

Senegal needed extra time to dispatch Tunisia but it was all worth it as the West Africans book their place in the final of the continental championship for the first time since 2004.

In a game of two halves, Senegal enjoyed the best of the first but more was seen from Tunisia in the second half.

Yet full time scores stood at 0 – 0 as both teams had nothing to show for their exertions. 

The two teams missed a penalty kick apiece and a truckload of other chances to keep a thrilling encounter goalless.

Senegal dominated the first half but Sadio Mane and co contrived to spurn many clear chances and Tunisia would have been the happier team that the half ended without a goal.

Ten minutes to half time the clearest of the chances fell to the Liverpool forward but he lost his balance after going past the goalkeeper.

Tunisia started the second half strongly and should have taken the lead shortly after the restart.

Two minutes in and Taha Khenissi found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper but he missed the glorious opportunity.

As Tunisia grew into the game, the Lions defense was continously tested with goaltender Alfred Gomis saving their blushes a couple of times, notably from a Ferjani Sassi shot.

Ferjani Sassi didn’t cover himself in glory when Tunisia’s best chance fell to him as his nerves failed him when he missed from the spot kick.

Moments later, Senegal were presented with the same opportunity but Henri Saivet duely blew the chance as well.

Extra time followed.

And the first goal arrived.

Tunisia’s keeper Hassen parried a shot back in to play but the ball hits Bronn on the face and into the back of the net.

Senegal fans went wild at the referee’s final whistle.

The Teranga Lions now await the winner of the titanic battle between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Desert Foxes of Algeria later tonight.