Shared Glory, Fierce Rivalry: Salah and Mané Ignite Egypt-Senegal AFCON Semi | OneFootball

When Mohamed Salah leads out Egypt against Senegal in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations tonight, he will do so in opposition to a familiar face.

The careers of Salah and Senegal'sSadio Mane have been intertwined. Together as teammates at Liverpool, there was silverware success alongside occasional friction between the pair. At international level, there's been a rivalry for team and individual honours.

Mane was arguably the first transformative signing of the Jurgen Klopp era atLiverpool. Signed from Southampton in 2016, he made an immediate impact as the Reds reached the top four and Champions League qualification.

That summer, Salah signed from Roma, the final piece of a forward line that would puzzle opposition defences over the following seasons. Together, Salah, Mane and Roberto Firmino emerged as one of Europe's most potent trios.

Salah's record-breaking start atLiverpool saw him assume instant talisman status, though Mane's contributions cannot be overlooked.

In 2021-22, the two tied at the top of thePremier League for goals, as the Golden Boot was shared between Africa's elite, with Arsenal and Gabon's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang alongside them.

Two years earlier, however, the first flickers of an underlying tension surfaced. In a Premier League win at Burnley, Mane reacted furiously to his substitution, directing much of his anger at Salah for not having passed to him during a previous attack.

"I think Mo is a very nice guy. Though inside the pitch, sometimes he would pass to me and sometimes he wouldn't," Mane said on theRio Ferdinand Presents podcast.

"Only Bobby (Firmino) was there to share the balls. Sometimes it was like this.

"I still remember one game when I was really, really angry because he (Salah) didn't pass me the ball."

While Salah stole much of the spotlight at club level, for their countries, it's Mane who has enjoyed the greater success.

In February 2022, Mane led Senegal toAfrica Cup of Nations success, beating Salah's Egypt on penalties in the final. Fittingly, it was Mane who converted the decisive kick, crowning The Lions of Teranga continental champions for the very first time.

In contrast, AFCON is a tournament that has continued to elude Salah. It's been 13 years since the last of Egypt's record seven triumphs, with Salah central to painful runners-up finishes in 2017 and 2021. It's an omission from his résumé that is not lost on the 33-year-old.

"Nobody, even in Egypt, wants to win this trophy more than me," Salah said after Egypt beat the Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals.

"I have won almost every prize. This is the title I am waiting for."

Both have been instrumental in their nation's run to the last four. Salah has scored four times, second only to Morocco's Brahim Diaz. Mane, meanwhile, ranks second at the tournament for assists (3).

Tonight pits together old friends and rivals. Each sits in the exclusive group of multiple African Footballer of the Year winners: Salah in 2017 and 2018, Mane in 2019 and 2022. On each occasion, it was the other who finished as runner-up. Their intertwined careers are inescapable.

In Morocco this evening, there will be another defining moment for one of Africa's all-time greats.