Senegal became the first team to reach the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations final after defeating Burkina Faso in a thrilling semi-final match on Wednesday night.
The Lions of Teranga scored three times in the second half to secure a 3-1 win over the Stallions in an encounter that was played at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Cameroon.
Sadio Mane was named Man of the Match as a reward for his exploits on the night as he provided an assist for the Lions of Teranga's second goal, before sealing the West African side's win with a sublime goal.
Fans took to social media to react to the West African Derby clash with many lauding Mane as the best player in this year's competition, while some backed him to win the Afcon 2021 Player of the Tournament accolade.
Senegal now await the winner between tournament hosts, Cameroon and Egypt, who will clash on Thursday, in the final which is scheduled to be played on Sunday.
Read how Twitter reacted to Senegal's win:
#ssafcon21 wow! What a player, Sadio Mane, you are the best, I give you player of the tournament — Stanley Makondo (@StanleyMakondo2) February 2, 2022
Sadio Mane is the man for the big occasion. One of the best wingers in the history of the game — 🇬🇳™️ (@alonsorole) February 2, 2022
Mane has been the best player in afcon by far — Lani (@Inowwl) February 2, 2022
this is exactly why Mané is the best player in the AFCON pic.twitter.com/LkMaLVKIrk — ankaramessi (@lapulgasantos) February 2, 2022
Sadio Mané best player in the world that's the tweet!!! Big lion game 🦁🇸🇳💪 We're in the final — Abdourahmane SOW 🇸🇳🇲🇦 (@ABDOUKABADA93) February 2, 2022
Sadio Mane with a goal and assist to take his nation to the AFCON final, the best player of the tournament so far. Back to his very best the past few games in the knockouts! — Seyi p Olatunji (@SeyipOlatunji1) February 2, 2022
I m glad Senegal win coz they r the best. Mane Best player of the tournament #ssafcon21 — Abubakr (@haburivaldo) February 2, 2022
#SSAFCON21,Be nice to see Camaroon battle it out with Senegal on Sunday,Mane for the best player of the tournament — Tarisai (@tarisaideka) February 2, 2022
Sadio Mane with a goal and assist to take his nation to the AFCON final, the best player of the tournament so far. Back to his very best the past few games in the knockouts!👏♥️🤩 pic.twitter.com/jQ2CTCzrDI — Leila🤍 (@Leila0B) February 2, 2022
"It looks impossible but Mane made it possible"Asamoah Gian... So simply Mane is tournament of the star!!! — Eshefa (@Eshefa2) February 2, 2022
#ssafcon21 Between Mane and Ekambi, one of these players will win the player of the tournament. — Derk (@sir_deryk) February 2, 2022
Sadio Mané is a contender for MVP of the #AFCON2021 tournament.⚽️ vs Zimbabwe⚽️ vs Cape Verde🅰️ vs Equatorial Guinea⚽️🅰️ vs Burkina Faso#AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/ZVsV8XQSWu — Aaron Osagyefo1 (@AaronOsagyefo) February 2, 2022
Sadio Mané has been directly involved in 6 goals at #AFCON2021 :3 ⚽️3 🎯Player of the tournament — Alexander Ogbechie (@alexanderOG) February 2, 2022
Mane player of the tournament no doubt — 👁 (@WlLS0NFISK) February 2, 2022
Sadio Mane 🇸🇳 this AFCON• 3 goals• 2 assistsHe's been very selfless throughout this tournament. On his way to MVP.#AFCONwithGary pic.twitter.com/if0IiUeCdT — Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) February 2, 2022
Sadio Mané is the best. — Makhou Nd (@NdMakhou) February 2, 2022
Sadio mane s the hero of tonight game ,he deserve African best#ssafcon21 — Engr Tolex (@EngrTolex) February 2, 2022
🗣Sadio Manè hies the best footballer in the world💓 — Deneuve ❤YNWA (@DeneuveDreamer) February 2, 2022
Tejiripe4
0
Mane deserve this more better than anyone
Muybelmsyz
1
its salah, Mane and Senegal cheated Zimbabwe and have been lucky to play with minnows thus far.
Rav_Brar
1
Much respect to Mane
fetceimoz
0
The Player of the Tournament should emerge from Cameroon. Aboubakar and Ekambi have been every teams night mare. The Cameroon team is the best team in the tournament so far and are good as a whole. They have the best attack. Anguissa and the midfield are doing a great job, the wingers are excellent and the full backs are a beauty to watch. Cameroon is topping on all Charts. Strikers with the Most Goals, Players with the highest assist are from Cameroon. Top 2 positions. Let's all check out facts and get it right
let them prove it by lifting the trophy, as the host nation they had some calls in their favor during the group stage matches
fetceimoz
0
Well Nigeria is not in the picture. Let's forget them. Learn to talk about matters at hand. If Nigeria or Moses were that good, they would have gotten passed Tunisia.
inexperience was the bane of the super eagles exiting at that stage of the tournament, we had guys playing for the 1st time for the country against experienced over 20yrs players in Tunisia, our future is bright 🌞, so we won't clamor for the moment but for things to come
Fabs David
1
that's absolute rubbish... though a Liverpool fan but can't support this bias in here.... Cameroon's captain deserves all the accolades... that he's not from Epl doesn't mean he shouldn't be given what he deserves
Perceptive
1
Abubakar still remains the best player! Stop being biased cos mane has more followers
salah fan being jealous
Lohit14
1
mane is easily the greatest Senegal player of all time he is truly a gem of a player
Juzadlmnuz
1
Fai Collins for sure
faebdknopy
3
I will be happy to see sadio mane to lifet the trophy because he merit it Christan Ronaldo of Senegal
VIRUZE96
0
AF at this point is biased in its analysis
Danceluyz
0
Abubakar still remains the best player! Stop being biased cos mane has more followers
fincdinstz
2
I think Senegal might beat Egypt if they beat cameroon
Dasceilsuy
0
What’s all this I don’t think all football have been watching Cameroon 🇨🇲 Toko Ekambi and Vincent Abubakar
Fai Collins, Ntolo, Anguissa, and the team as a whole have been the best individually and collectively.
Dasceilsuy
1
Well Nigeria is not in the picture. Let's forget them. Learn to talk about matters at hand. If Nigeria or Moses were that good, they would have gotten passed Tunisia.
cohabcdlpt
3
abubakar should be crowned the best player of the tournament
Zutcmoy
0
Best Luck.!!!YNWA Your make proud of your Team Senagal into Final..
Dasceilsuy
0
The Player of the Tournament should emerge from Cameroon. Aboubakar and Ekambi have been every teams night mare. The Cameroon team is the best team in the tournament so far and are good as a whole. They have the best attack. Anguissa and the midfield are doing a great job, the wingers are excellent and the full backs are a beauty to watch. Cameroon is topping on all Charts. Strikers with the Most Goals, Players with the highest assist are from Cameroon. Top 2 positions. Let's all check out facts and get it right
molo98
1
Ya you will to agree that Senegal reached the final, because of Mané's 3 goals n 2 assists.
so Cameroon reaching semis isn't because of Aboubakar's 6goals and Ekambi's 5goals. Or the goals are void and useless
molo98
1
Aboubakar score 6 goals but the important goals to win a match that's sadio love to score.
so the 2goals aboubakar scored in the opening match were not winning goals? what about the 2goals toko ekambi scored in the quarter finals to help cameroon win. if it were Mane or Salah they would receive all the praises on earth. y'all are clowns
molo98
0
I'm saying those players have consistently performed thru out the tournament...and they have better goal involvement than Mane... and before you say further I'm a liverpool fan and not even a Cameroonian...
please tell him. maybe he doesn't follow up Because it's Mane they would just be praising blindly
molo98
0
Who they played n how are you talking like group stage is more important than knock out
without crossing the group stages, how do u even get to knock out? Each phase of the competition is important and those 2 have been brilliant
molo98
2
playing weak teams all through out
lol. Did Cameroon not play the very Burkina Faso. if they are so weak how did they fund themselves playing the competition.
feybcdrsz
1
Sadio Mane deserve to be crown MVP, for this unique 2021 African Cup of Nation.
leonardo2002
0
What’s all this I don’t think all football have been watching Cameroon 🇨🇲 Toko Ekambi and Vincent Abubakar
playing weak teams all through out
bipdlps
1
It’s Mane or Salah … because they determine the results of the games they were involved in despite the rest of the below par performance. As with Cameroon they’re the best team so far, followed by Eq Guinea and Burkina Fasso….
Leacklntuy
2
Mane vs Zimbabwe Mane v Cape varde Mane vs Equatorial Guinea Mane vs bukina Faso Mane olso vs herd center benks then why don't him won MVP and even hero of the tournament?
naadeilos
1
bravo mane
Hamcklnruy
0
Who they played n how are you talking like group stage is more important than knock out
I'm saying those players have consistently performed thru out the tournament...and they have better goal involvement than Mane... and before you say further I'm a liverpool fan and not even a Cameroonian...
Azmatvffvc
0
Vincent Aboubakar has been the best so far...if Nigeria continued, Simon Moses would have been up there too
Aboubakar score 6 goals but the important goals to win a match that's sadio love to score.
YNWApool
0
Toko Ekambi and Vincent Abubakar have been by far the better players...Sadio Mane is a top top player but in the group stages he didn't play that well...whereas atleast those two players have been far better... even Fai Collins if I may add though being a defender...
Who they played n how are you talking like group stage is more important than knock out
KingDekkoGadhafi
3
ojoro [Crylaugh] Give that award to someone else pls sir I'm begging mane don't deserve that award at the moment, best team so far has been the Cameroon and their players has been superb
Liybeirs
0
Senegalese fans please not Africa....Mane is good but hasn't been better than Karl Toko Ekambi of Cameroon
Ya you will to agree that Senegal reached the final, because of Mané's 3 goals n 2 assists.
Hamcklnruy
2
Toko Ekambi and Vincent Abubakar have been by far the better players...Sadio Mane is a top top player but in the group stages he didn't play that well...whereas atleast those two players have been far better... even Fai Collins if I may add though being a defender...
Musckoprsy
4
Aboubakar is the POTT
Seaninho_94
4
Vincent Aboubakar has been the best so far...if Nigeria continued, Simon Moses would have been up there too
Seaninho_94
0
the headline tho....damn!
yuomnps
3
Abubaka is the Man...No hard fillings
takeilnpst
3
Finally getting the credit he deserves
Cuban19949
16
What’s all this I don’t think all football have been watching Cameroon 🇨🇲 Toko Ekambi and Vincent Abubakar
lekbdelmr
5
Senegalese fans please not Africa....Mane is good but hasn't been better than Karl Toko Ekambi of Cameroon