The Senegalese national team, with its top star Sadio Mané, got off to a confident start in its mission to defend its Africa Cup of Nations title against Gambia.
In the first group game against Gambia, coach Aliou Cisse’s team won 3-0 (1-0) on Monday (January 15, 2024). Early in the game, Pape Gueye took the lead after an assist from Mané (4th minute).
Gambia’s Ebou Adams is sent off
Shortly before the break, Gambia’s Ebou Adams was sent off (45th + 8th), in the second half Lamine Camara made everything clear with a double in the majority (52nd/86th) – the fantastic shot from 20 meters to the final score was particularly worth seeing .
Cameroon misses out on victory despite being in the majority
Also waiting for Mané and Co. in Group C are Cameroon and Guinea, who drew 1-1 (0-1) in the subsequent duel. Guinea only played the second half with ten men, captain Francois Kamano received a red card shortly before the break (45th + 3). Mohamed Bayo had given Guinea the lead in the 10th minute.
Guinea’s defender Sekou Sylla (l.) in a duel with Cameroon’s striker Franck Magri (r.).
After Frank Magri’s equalizer (51′), Cameroon applied a lot of pressure, but were not precise or dangerous enough in the final third.
Algeria only drew against Angola
The Algerians left the pitch in Group D just as disappointingly as the Cameroonians. After the 1:1 (1:0) against Angola, only the outsiders were happy at the final whistle.
Angola’s Fredy fights for the ball with Algeria’s Nabil Bentaleb.
Algeria got off to a strong start and deservedly took the lead through Baghdad Bounedjah (18th). A wonderful overhead kick that supposedly made it 2-0 was disallowed shortly afterwards due to a very slight offside position, and after that there wasn’t much offensive from the North Africans.
Mabululu’s equalizer in the 68th minute was not at all undeserved; the few chances that Algeria still had were destroyed by the very attentive Angloa goalkeeper Neblú.