AFCON Showdown in Jeopardy: Egypt and Senegal Hit by Double Card Blow

Key absences ahead of the semi-final

Egypt’s Hossam Abdel-Meguid, a key central defender for the Pharaohs, will miss the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations clash in Morocco.

The Egyptians face a decisive semi-final against Senegal, with the winner potentially moving on to the final tonight or, if they falter, into a third-place playoff.

Abdel-Meguid’s absence follows an early yellow in the Egypt–Senegal clash, a reminder that every minute can carry weight in a knockout stage.

In that match, several Egyptian players had already collected cautions across the Round of 16 and the quarter-finals against Benin and Ivory Coast: Mohamed El-Shenawy, Ahmed Fattouh, Rami Rabia, Marwan Attia, Hamdi Fathi, and Abdel-Meguid himself.

Meanwhile, Kalidou Koulibaly, Senegal’s defender, will miss the next game after receiving his second yellow in the knockout rounds, the first having come against Mali in stoppage time.

Disciplinary notes and the looming decisions

Beyond Koulibaly, Habib Diarra of Senegal was also booked, ensuring his absence for the following clash in a night already heavy with cautions.

The stars aren’t the only ones feeling the pressure: the referee’s notebook has become an ominous presence, as cards continue to shape who can take the pitch in the next round.

The drama is amplified by the timing, as a yellow card can tilt a national fate on a night when every whistle could decide a nation’s AFCON journey.

A fiery Moroccan night awaits, where a single caution can loom larger than a goal when the stakes are this high.

Two punchlines to keep in mind as the drama unfolds: If yellow cards were fashion, Egypt and Senegal would be on the AFCON catwalk. And remember, the referee’s notebook might just become the fans’ most valuable souvenir tonight.