Senegal struck three times in the last 20 minutes to book their place in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final as they overcame Burkina Faso 3-1 in Wednesday’s semi-final at Yaounde’s Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium.

Abdou Diallo shot home from close range after a corner in the 70th minute for the first and a strike from Bamba Dieng doubled Senegal’s lead six minutes later. Blati Toure pulled a goal back to make it 2-1 in the 82nd minute but Sadio Mane added a final flourish with a breakaway goal five minutes later to restore Senegal’s two-goal advantage as their quality triumphed over a gallant Burkinabe outfit.

Senegal were runners-up at the last edition in 2019.

Diallo snapped up the opportunity to fire home from close range after centre back partner Kalidou Koulibaly played the ball back into the danger zone from a corner with a bicycle kick.

Dieng made it 2-0 as TV replays showed he was first to a cut back from Mane, applying the decisive touch ahead of teammate Idrissa Gana Gueye, who also claimed the goal.

The prospect of a frenetic search for a dramatic equaliser was on cards but Toure and Edmond Tapsoba lost the ball in a midfield mix-up and Mane was able to sprint away, slamming home a left-footer.

“We knew it would not be easy, it was a semi-final of the Cup of Nations after all,” said Mane.

“And we were up against a good Burkina Faso team who gave us a lot of problem. We were calm and we took our opportunities and I think we deserved this victory.”