Disappointing, Senegal goes through a mouse hole against Zimbabwe

Senegal 1-0 Zimbabwe
Senegal : Sadio Mané (sp, 90e+7)

It is an adventure that almost started badly for Senegal, finalist of the last African Cup of Nations in 2019. The Lions of Teranga won at the last minute in Bafoussam, Cameroon, against the modest Zimbabweans who have never passed the 1st round of a CAN. A penalty from Sadio Mané (90th + 7) freed a generally dominant Senegal. It’s hard to imagine the “Warriors” holding this goalless draw after the first half hour of play, as they did not exist. Their goalkeeper Petros Mhari even stood out by winning a face-to-face with Mané, after a flamboyant counter-attack (24th). Parisian midfielder Idrissa Gueye, he procrastinated in the area although lonely (38th).

Zimbabwe has grown into hold-ups

Senegal lacked intensity under almost 30 degrees in Cameroon, and while the Covid-19 deprived it of many players (Edouard Mendy, Ismaïla Sarr, Famara Diédhiou …). So much so that Zimbabwe was surprised to believe it. On a boondoggle on a free kick, Hadebe lacked promptness to knock out Senegal (85th). Finally, it was neither Pope Abou Cissé (48th) nor Abdou Diallo (69th), dangerous with the head on set pieces, who released the vice-champion of Africa. It is the star of Liverpool, Sadio Mané, certainly the most moving this afternoon, transforming a penalty following a hand from Madzongwe on a shot from Marseillais Pape Gueye. Almost all is well for Senegal who will face Guinea on Friday (2 p.m.) before concluding this group stage with a duel against Malawi next Tuesday (5 p.m.).