By Morgan Mwamuye
Sadio Mane scored a decisive penalty to send Senegal to the World Cup tournament that will be held in Qatar this year.
In a fully packed new Stade de Abdoulaye Wade, Senegal began the game with high energy and zeal to see off the Egyptians.
Senegal had the lion share of the ball possession in the first half frustrating the opposition.
Senegal, however got the first laugh in the forth minute through a close range strike by Boulaye Dia from PSG’s Idrissa Gueye’s free kick beating the impressive Al Ahly’s shot stopper Mohammed El Shenawy, sending a 50,000 seat packed stadium into frenzy in celebration.
The goal ensured the home team the come back to 1:1 after a disappointing 1:0 defeat in Cairo.
The former Tala’ea El Gaish keeper gave impressive performance in efforts to keep the Pharaohs in the game saving last minute shots from Cisce and Idrissa Gueye’s free kick.
The 1:1 forced a shoot out where fellow Liverpool player Mohammed Salah sent his penalty above the post. Egypt’s Zizo and Moustafa Mohammed also missed from the 6-yard sport.
Elsewhere in Abuja, at the Abuja National Stadium a 1-1 draw saw the embattled Ghana proceed to the group stages of the November fete.
A tenth minute strike just outside the box from Arsenal midfielder, Thomas Partey beat 23 year old Francis Odinaka Uzoho, who dived to get the ball and spilled it past the goal line.
Troost-Ekong however gave hope to the home team after a chilled finish from the six-yard spot after foul play on Leicester City’s Ademola Lookman in the box.
One goal from Nigeria however wasn’t enough to help them through as Ghana won on away goal rule.
Other African teams that will grace the fête include; Morocco, Cameroon and Tunisia.
