Mendy's Senegal Into AFCON Final
- Leicester City's Papy Mendy was in the XI for Senegal in their 3-1 win over Burkina Faso
- The clash marked a fourth straight start for Mendy at the tournament
- The Lions of Teranga will play in Sunday's final against either Cameroon or Egypt
- Senegal were runners-up in 2019 but have never won the trophy
For the fourth straight game in the tournament, Mendy was named in the starting line-up, with Senegal edging closer towards their target of winning their first ever AFCON title.
There were three moments in the first half when the Lions of Teranga may have had a spot-kick to take, the first coming when Sadio Mané went down under a challenge in the area, but no penalty was the decision.
Just ahead of the half-hour, the 2019 AFCON finalists were actually awarded a penalty when the referee pointed to the spot after Burkina Faso 'keeper Hervé Koffi clashed with Cheikhou Kouyaté. However, after a lengthy VAR check, the decision was overturned.
Mané then forced a good save with a powerful drive from an angle, before, inside added time, Senegal were awarded a penalty for a second time. Burkina Faso defender Edmond Tapsoba was initially penalised for a handball, but following another VAR consultation, the ruling was once again overturned.
The pressure finally told for Mendy's side after the break, though, when a 70th-minute corner dropped to defender Abdou Diallo, who diverted the ball home from close range.
Pape Gueye soon headed wide, but a second goal followed for Senegal within a minute. Idrissa Gueye had the simple task of turning the ball into the net following good work from Mané.
Inside the final 10 minutes, Burkina Faso halved the deficit through Blati Touré's unconventional finish. Thoughts of a comeback were short lived, however, with Mané breaking clear to lift a finish over the 'keeper and confirm his side's place in Sunday's showpiece.
In the 92nd minute, Mendy was replaced by Pape Abou Cissé, as Senegal ran down the clock, celebrating wildly together after the final whistle sounded.
The final will take place on Sunday evening (7pm GMT kick-off) at the Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé, with Senegal to face either hosts Cameroon or Egypt. The two teams are set to play in the second semi-final on Thursday.
Keep an eye on LCFC.com to follow Mendy's progress and see if Senegal can win the title for the first time this weekend.