Nick Cavell
BBC Africa Sport in Olembe Stadium

Before the final we thought that former Egypt international Wael Gomaa would be barred from being on the bench but the team's administrative manager is pitchside for the final after all.

Drama in the opening 10 minutes but Senegal keep their heads up and keep on the attack as a free kick is sent into the box but Egypt deal with the danger.

Nick Cavell
BBC Africa Sport in Olembe Stadium

While Saliou Ciss was receiving treatment players started surrounding the penalty spot - the assistant referee was quick to run over and make sure there were no dirty tricks!

SAVED!

Sadio Mane hammers the penalty but Gabaski pulls off yet more penalty save heroics as he beats away the spot kick!

Gabaski saved two penalties in the semi final and he's done the business once again.

Sadio Mane puts the ball on the spot...

But disaster for Egypt seconds later!

Moments after that brilliant bit of defending, Mohamed Abdelmonem gives away a penalty as he slides in late on Saliou Ciss.

Abdelmonem is booked and Senegal have the chance to make the ideal start to this final.

First sight of Sadio Mane in action as he gets the ball in space on the left. He tries to take on Mohamed Abdelmonem but the Egypt defender defends well and the ball goes behind for a goal kick.

Efan Ekoku
Former Nigeria striker on BBC Three

Really looking forward to this one. Senegal are the favourites. They have been the best side for me.

Who will be lifting the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in a couple of hours time?

Senegal get the final under way.

BBC Three

Live coverage has just started on the newly relaunched BBC Three channel so you can get it on your television there.

A quick reminder of the starting line ups before the final gets under way.

Senegal XI: E Mendy, Ciss, Koulibaly, Diallo, B Sarr, Gueye, N Mendy, Kouyate, Mane, Diedhiou, I Sarr

Egypt XI: Gabaski, Ashour, Abdelmonem, Hamdi, El Fotouh, Elneny, El Soleya, Fathi, Salah, Mohamed, Marmoush

The atmosphere is electric as the two teams walk out onto the pitch before lining up for the national anthems.

Image source, Getty Images

Senegal coach Aliou Cisse also doesn't think Egypt's extra 90 minutes of action will have an impact on the game.

"I can guarantee you that it won’t be a diminished team. This Egyptian team has a lot of personality," he said.

"The motivation to play a final can transcend anyone, any player even a tired one. So I don’t believe in it. We will have an Egyptian team ready mentally, physically as we will be.

"Physical freshness or not, head coach or not, missing or not players, it’s a final and it’s played on one single game. And I don’t see this Egypt coming as a victim."

Senegal have had relatively straightforward passage to the final, beating Cape Verde 2-0 and then recording 3-1 wins over Equatorial Guinea and Burkina Faso.

Egypt, meanwhile, have played extra-time in all three knock-out matches and needed penalties to beat Ivory Coast in the last 16 and Cameroon in the semis.

Mohamed Salah has dismissed suggestions that fatigue could be a factor for the Pharaohs.

"It's a final. No-one will think about being tired," he insisted. "If we think about being tired we will remember the people in Egypt and think about making them happy.

"We train good, we recover good, we eat good, we sleep good. Everybody is happy and fit and excited."

Senegal centre-back and captain Kalidou Koulibaly, who missed the 2019 final, says their defence will have to stay concentrated to keep Mohamed Salah quiet.

"I was lucky to play against him when he was with Roma in Italy and we faced each other plenty of times while playing Napoli versus Liverpool," Koulibaly said.

"I think that more than a plan against Salah we will need to limit the influence he has on his team while trying to make him touch the ball the less times possible.

"But we know he is a player who can make a difference any time. So as a defender it will be important to be focus during all the game and try to be careful with him but without forgetting the others Egypt players."

Senegal boss Aliou Cisse is looking to go one better than the 2019 final, when the Teranga Lions were beaten 1-0 by Algeria.

He knows his star forward will be important in their bid for a first ever Nations Cup title.

"Sadio Mane is among our great players. We are working to put him in the best situation, to let him express himself as best as possible for this team," the 45-year-old said.

"And we are working to reduce the room as much as possible for Mo Salah.

"Whether it’s Sadio or Salah what matters the most is to see their team winning, to keep having an impact on the performances of their team.

"Sadio knows he plays for Senegal and what is important is together we have to shine."

Nick Cavell
BBC Africa Sport in Olembe Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

A BBC Sport Africa colleague has just told me that he was stuck outside with Egypt coach Carlos Queiroz as the dignitaries arrived.

The former Manchester United assistant manager is banned from the touchline for this final after he was sent off during the semi-final win over Cameroon.

One of his assistants, the South African Roger de Sa, is also missing due to suspension.

Reporters at the BBC World Service have selected their best XI from the tournament so far.

Both Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah are in there...

Image source, BBC Sport

Subs: E Mendy (SEN), I Kabore (BFA), JC Castelletto (CMR), E Tapsoba (BFA), G Sangare (BFA), Musa Barrow (GAM), K Toko Ekambi (CMR).

Former Senegal striker Mamadou Diallo hopes Aliou Cisse's side can finally end the West African country's wait for continental silverware.

"This team had a very difficult beginning and were not confident in themselves, but they have become very powerful," Diallo, who played at the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, told the BBC's World Football podcast.

"You see many good players in the team. Sadio Mane is very important. If he was not in the team I don’t think Senegal would go into the final. He is the one who can make the difference.

"If Senegal win this Nations Cup, nobody is going to forget it in their life. The country deserves this trophy."

Nick Cavell
BBC Africa Sport in Olembe Stadium

The stadium is again less than half full - there are more than a thousand Egyptian fans who have flown in for this final. The ranks for the Senegal fans have also swelled with new arrivals.

As for the neutrals in here they are behind Senegal - they got a huge cheer as they ran out to warm-up, and Sadio Mane's name being read out was warmly greeted. While the Egyptians were booed but Mo Salah's name was cheered when it was announced.