AFCON 2023: Mane scores as Senegal defeats Cameroon 3-1 to secure a spot in the last sixteen.
Senegal, the reigning champions, defeated Cameroon 3-1 on Friday to become the second team to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16. Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diallo, and Sadio Mane scored the goals.
Just a few hours prior, Cape Verde defeated Mozambique 3-0 in Abidjan to become the first nation to guarantee a spot in the round of sixteen.
After two Group C games, Sarr scored in the first half and Diallo and Mane in the second to earn the defending champions a maximum six points. The defeated own just one.
With a goal late in the second half from Jean-Charles Castelletto, Senegal cut the gap to 2-1, but Mane ensured that the result would be certain.
With just one round of matches left, Guinea would move up to three points ahead of Cameroon if they defeated the Gambia later in the second game of a doubleheader.
Andre Onana, the goalkeeper for Manchester United, was called up by Cameroon. He arrived late in west Africa and missed a draw with Guinea, although he gave up goals because of careless play.
Five players from Senegal’s starting lineup against Egypt in the 2022 final, which they won in a penalty shootout with Mane netting the winning spot kick, began play.
Star forward Vincent Aboubakar was sidelined for Cameroon once more due to a thigh ailment that prevented him from playing in a draw with Guinea four days prior.
Sarr responds swiftly.
More daring from the off in the capital of Ivory Coast, Senegal took the lead on minute sixteen thanks to the fast-thinking Sarr.
Sarr turned inside the box and his low shot deflected off Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa before falling in the corner of the net after Cameroon failed to clear a corner twice.
Just before the interval, Frank Magri, the goal scorer for Cameroon against Guinea, had a half-chance, but Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy beat him to a loose ball.
The contest began at 34 degrees Celsius (94 degrees Fahrenheit), and a few minutes later, the Sudanese referee called a much-needed water break.
As halftime drew near, Cameroon’s luck ran out when Enzo Tchato expertly stopped a goal-bound attempt from Mane, the two-time African Player of the Year.
After three efforts by each team, only one shot on goal—the goal—was on target as the first half came to a close conclusion.
On minute 71, Senegal extended their lead with a goal that came about as a result of persistence near the Cameroon penalty area.
Following a series of short passes, Sarr sent in a low cross, and an unmarked Diallo slammed the ball into the net from close range.
On the 83rd minute, Castelletto scored with a header from close range that left former Chelsea goalkeeper Mendy with no chance. However, Mane ended any thoughts of salvaging a tie in added time.
