Cameroon 0-0 (1-3) Egypt: 5 talking points as Salah and Mane set to clash in the AFCON final | 2021 AFCON

#3 Gabaski the hero again for Egypt

Egypt won on penalties thanks to two saves from Gabaski

As we have seen throughout the 2021 AFCON, defenses have won games for the teams and Egypt have been no exception to the same. They have conceded just two goals in their run to the final and won two penalty shootouts.

Of all the players, goalkeeper Gabaski stood out against Cameroon and produced not one but two saves in the shoot-out. FIrst he denied Harold Moukoudi and then against guessed the right way to prevent James Léa Siliki's effort.

He was injured in the first half and was about to be substituted but he held on and that proved to be a great decision. He was not even the first-choice keeper for the team but assumed a key role after Mohamed El Shenawy was injured against Ivory Coast.

Gabaski produced a remarkable save with two minutes left on the clock in that game as they won it on penalties. While everyone expected Mo Salah to step up here, the keeper has emerged as an unlikely star for them in the competition.

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#2 Mo Salah kept quiet by Cameroon defense

Mo Salah failed to make in impact in the semi-final game

Mo Salah has two goals and an assist in the ongoing AFCON but was largely an anonymous figure in the semi-final tie against Cameroon. The hosts always had a player marking the Liverpool forward and didn't offer much space to the speedy winger.

His only chance of the game came when Martin Hongla's short back pass set him through onto goal but Andre Onana rushed forward in time to make a great save.

It seems a simple tactic but keeping Salah isolated and away from the run of play seems to be paying off. Senegal will be taking notes from this game and might implement a similar tactic here.

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#1 Egypt secure a record 10th appearance in the final

Egypt have won the AFCON seven time so far

While it might not have been a remarkable victory, it was enough for the visiting side to secure a place in the final for the first time since 2017. They had lost that match to Cameroon.

This also helped them overcome Ghana as the nation with the most appearances in the title-decider.The game against Senegal will be their 10th appearance in the final.

Egypt have a great record in the final and have won the title seven times in their previous nine title-deciders.They will head into the game with a certain amount of confidence, though they need to work on their attacking output against Sadio Mane and co.