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 on Friday evening.

With what promised to be a big night for the two sides, Senegal took an early lead through 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 he 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 provider this time after teeing a perfect pass to the waiting feet of Habib Dailo who made no mistake to slot in the cushioning goal 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.

With just 2 minutes to end the game, Sadio Mane got his first goal of the tournament and Senegal’s third of the night.

He made no mistake after he was connected with a Pape Gueye pass to score. Andre Onana was beaten completely.

The win means Senegal have 6 points out of 2 games and have qualified to the knockout stage.

Cameroon need a win to progress to the knockout in their last game against Gambia on Tuesday.

Senegal will play their last group match against Guinea at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro on Tuesday, 23 January.

POST MATCH FACTS

● Senegal have progressed from the group stage in each of their last four Africa Cup of Nations, after failing to do so in their previous three.

● Senegal have not lost any Africa Cup of Nations game since the start of the 2021 tournament (P9 - W6 D3); over this period, they are the second-best attack (15 goals, only Cameroon have done better with 16).

● Cameroon have lost their first group stage game in an Africa Cup of Nations since 2015 against Côte d’Ivoire (0-1), winning four such matches and drawing six in the meantime.

● For the first time since Opta collects this data (2010), Cameroon have not shot on target in the first half for two games in a row in the Africa Cup of Nations. Today, Jean-Charles Castelleto’s goal at the 83rd minute was scored on their only shot on target.

● Ismaïla Sarr has been involved in three of Senegal’s six goals in the current Africa Cup of Nations (1 goal, 2 assist).

● Sadio Mané is the first player in Senegal's history to score in four different Africa Cup of Nations tournaments (2017, 2019, 2021 and 2023).

SOURCED FROM CAFONLINE

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