Injury Sours Senegal-Egypt AFCON Semi as Koulibaly Exits Early
14 January 2026
Injury hits Senegal in AFCON semi
Sharp setback for the Lions of Teranga as they face the Pharaohs.
Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly, the leader of the Lions, could not finish the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Egypt.
The match, played at Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier, unfolded with Koulibaly limping off after a 20th-minute challenge with Omar Marmoush.
Though he initially tried to continue, he collapsed again shortly after, and Mamadou Sarr came on to replace him in the 23rd minute.
The eventual winner will meet the victor from Morocco versus Nigeria in the final.
Aftermath and lighter moments
In the meantime, coaches can always rely on the bench to be a comedy club—subs are cheaper than medical bills.
If football ever taught us anything, it's that injuries are just a dramatic pause before the next goal.
The stadium lights shimmered as the crowd held its breath, wondering if Senegal could adapt without their talisman.
