Senegal won against Cameroon to punch their ticket to the round of 16 of the African Cup of Nations (3-1).
In the group of big names lost on the first day, Senegal was one of the rare seeded players to hold their place for their entry into this African Cup of Nations. The defending champion had scored a clean and flawless victory against Gambia to send a message to his competitors (3-0).
But the second obstacle that presented itself on the road to the Lions of Teranga was of a completely different caliber. Aliou Cissé’s men were opposed to Cameroon, in a match that looked like a final. After its hectic preparation, the Cameroonian team approached this clash in the guise of an outsider.
Senegal size pattern
The start of the match showed the desires of the Indomitable Lions, quite vengeful after the frustrating draw against Guinea (1-1). Pressing from the start, Cameroon tried to impose high pressure, but gradually, the Senegalese regained the upper hand in the game. And the Lions of Téranga made the difference through Marseillais Ismaïla Sarr after a superb strike in pivot (1-0, 17th).
The scorer then turned into a passer for Diallo, another well-known head in Ligue 1 (2-0, 71st). The reduction in the score of Nantais Castelleto spoiled the end of the match (2-1, 83rd), but Senegal sealed its success by adding a third goal by Mané in the process (3-1, 90th + 5). A logical result for a serious team, diligent and driven by the tragedy which affected Cheikhou Kouyaté, bereaved after the death of his father.
Building on this success, Senegal, which is at the top of its group, secures its ticket for the round of 16 of this CAN 2023. It is the 2nd qualified nation after Cape Verde.
