Abidjan, (CIV): Senegal continued their title defense in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023 with a hard-fought victory over Cameroon at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro.
With what promised to be a big night for the two sides, Senegal took an early lead through Olympique Marseille’s Ismaila Sarr.
The 25-year-old shot Senegal into the lead with 16 minutes showing on the clock following a teasing pass inside the box while Ismaili Sarr lurked behind and gleefully pounced on a rebound to register the game’s opener.
The Teranga controlled the second half as they ended the first half and they managed to double their lead.
Sarr turned the producer this time after teeing a perfect pass to the waiting feet of Habib Diallo who made no mistake to slot in the cushioning for the Terranga Lions of Senegal.
Cameroon’s Jean Charles Castelleto slashed Senegal’s lead into two after rising highest to head home a cross from Oliver Ntcham on the 83rd minute to bring the game to 2-1.
The Indomitable Lions after scoring started mounting pressure on Senegal but with just 2 minutes to end the game, Sadio Mane got his first goal of the tournament and Senegal’s third of the night.
The Al Nassr winger made no mistake after he was located with a Pape Gueye pass to score beating Andre Onana flat-footed.
The win secured Senegal’s progress to the knockout stage of the competition, thanks to 6 points in two games.
Cameroon, currently with a point will need to win at Gambia in the final group if they are to progress to the next round, while Senegal take on Guinea at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro on Tuesday, January 23.
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