Egypt goalkeeper Gabaski has divulged Mohamed Salah's inspired advice which helped him deny Sadio Mane 's early penalty in the Africa Cup of Nations Final.
Pharaohs skipper Salah was seen in conversation with Gabaski as Mane stepped up from 12 yards aiming to give Senegal a seventh-minute lead.
The two forwards have been Liverpool colleagues for four-and-a-half years, so Salah felt he was able to predict which way his club teammate would go with the spot kick.
Mane seemed less than impressed by the conversation as he waited to take the penalty, and interjected to usher Gabaski back to his line.
The 29-year-old fired a powerful effort to the Egypt shot-stopper's right - only for a strong hand to deny him the opening goal.
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Mane's missed penalty proved to be the best chance of a hard-fought final which grew more open towards the end of the regular 90 minutes, which ended goalless.
Neither side were able to find a winner in extra time, so Egypt were taken to their third penalty shootout in four knockout stage games.
While Gabaski made a fine stop to deny Bouna Sarr, Mane made no mistake when the stakes were at their highest to convert the winning spot kick and win Senegal their first AFCON title.
The former Southampton star made sure to console a distraught Salah in the aftermath of the final, and they will soon be reunited on Merseyside.
Gabaski, meanwhile, has subsequently reflected on the match and opened up on the advice he received from his captain about how to deny Mane's first-half penalty.
He told MBC Egypt, per Yallakora : "Salah told me: 'Mane would shoot to the right side, he is coming now because he knows what I am saying.’
"Mane told me that he would shoot the ball on the left side, but Salah replied to him saying, 'We'll see... let's make him punish you'. And it was a smart and correct response from Salah."
Gabaski did not fall for Mane's bluff and Salah was quickly vindicated as the penalty was saved to the goalkeeper's right, handing Egypt an early boost in the final.
But Mane atoned for his error in the shootout and was later crowned player of the tournament having scored three goals and chipped in with two assists during Senegal's triumphant run to their maiden continental title.
It remains to be seen when the Liverpool No. 10 will return to the club's Kirkby base, whereas Salah is expected to report for training on Tuesday as he targets a swift return to action.
The Reds take on Leicester in the Premier League on Thursday night before travelling to Burnley on Sunday afternoon.
