Holders Senegal Roar Into AFCON Knockout Rounds With Victory Over Cameroon
Holders Senegal are through to the knockout rounds of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations following a 3-1 win over Cameroon on Friday.
The Teranga Lions roared to victory in Yamoussoukro with a stylish display thanks to goals from Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diallo and Sadio Mane.
Cameroon briefly threatened an unlikely comeback when Jean-Charles Castelletto halved the deficit with seven minutes to play but Senegal held on to restore their two-goal advantage in injury time thanks to Mane.
Following their first ever AFCON title in 2021, Senegal look good value to defend the trophy, with coach Aliou Cisse bossing things from the touchline.
For large spells of this game, Senegal looked in control as Sarr's deflected effort gave them a 16th minute lead.
Goalscorer turned provider with 19 minutes remaining on the clock when Diallo tucked into an empty net from Sarr's cross but Castelletto headed in a pin point cross from substitute Olivier Ntcham to set up a nervy ending.
Mane made sure of the points with a fine effort in stoppage time from Idrissa Gana Gueye's pass to seal all three points for Senegal.
Cameroon will have to beat Gambia in their final game to stand any chance of progressing to the knockout rounds of the competition.
