Egypt wants AFCON final against Senegal postponed

Egypt called on Africa Cup of Nations organisers to delay this weekend’s final against Senegal to give them more time to prepare after overcoming hosts Cameroon on penalties in Thursday’s semi-final.

“I want to state to all CAF authorities that Senegal have one extra day to train and therefore maybe we should play the final on Monday,” suggested Egypt’s assistant coach Diaa al-Sayed, who was speaking after coach Carlos Queiroz was shown a red card during the semi-final.

Egypt won 3-1 in a shoot-out after a goalless 120 minutes in Yaounde, while Senegal overcame Burkina Faso 3-1 in normal time a day earlier.

The Egyptians had already needed extra time and penalties to get the better of the Ivory Coast in the last 16 before beating Morocco 2-1 in extra time in the quarter-finals.

Egypt, beat Cameroon 3-1 on penalties to reach the Africa Cup of Nations final on Thursday after their last-four tie in Yaounde finished goalless at the end of extra time.

Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal saved two spot-kicks in the shoot-out before Cameroon’s Clinton Njie missed, sending the record seven-time African champions through to Sunday’s final against Senegal.