Senegal entered the African Nations Cup with a 1-0 victory over Zimbabwe. Sadio Mané set a penalty match in Bafoussam, Cameroon. In the second match of Group B, Guinea defeated Malawi 1: 0. The duel of the two co-Bavarians of the tournament in Group C was for Morocco, which also managed 1: 0 with Ghana in Yaoundé.
The finalist of the last championship from 2019 Senegal, which the bookmakers fit into the role of the biggest favorite for gold before the start of the tournament, also dealt with a large number of absences. Captain and Neapolitan defender Koulibaly and other star goalkeeper Mendy of Chelsea were missing due to a positive coronavirus test. Cissé had only 17 players available today.
The “Lions of Téranga,” still waiting for the premiere African triumph, have long struggled and threw away a number of good chances. Only at the set time did the Zimbabwean defender Madzongwe play in the hand of sixteen and the Liverpool striker Mané turned the penalty kick with an overview.
Due to the coronavirus, Malawi had only two players on the field and two goalkeepers, yet it resisted the Guinea favorite and reached for the equalizer several times. But Syllous’ goal from the 35th minute was ultimately victorious.
The only shot was enough to successfully enter the tournament and Morocco, which, however, had to wait until the 83rd minute. In the penalty area, Boufal got to the rebound and sent the ball close to the net. Moroccans have won 13 of the last 14 competition duels.
In the second match of Group C, Gabon defeated Comorian Championship rookie 1-0, scoring the winning goal in the 16th minute with a hard shot from the Boupendza angle. The “Panthers” managed even without the biggest star of the Aubameyang team, which had a positive test after arriving in Cameroon.
