Senegal continued their strong title defence in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Cameroon at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro on Friday evening.
The win sees Senegal qualify for the knockout stage with six points from two games, while Cameroon must now beat Gambia in their final group match to progress.
The game started brightly for both sides, with Senegal taking an early lead through Ismaila Sarr. The 25-year-old winger capitalised on a rebound after a teasing pass inside the box, firing the Teranga Lions into the lead with 16 minutes on the clock.
Senegal controlled the remainder of the first half and doubled their lead shortly after the hour mark. Sarr turned provider this time, setting up Habib Diallo with a perfectly weighted pass, which the forward gratefully accepted and slotted past the helpless Cameroonian goalkeeper.
Cameroon pushed hard to get back into the game, and their efforts were finally rewarded with seven minutes remaining. Jean Charles Castelleto rose highest to head home a cross from Oliver Ntcham, bringing the score back to 2-1.
The Indomitable Lions continued to apply pressure on Senegal, but it was the Teranga Lions who struck the final blow. With just two minutes left on the clock, Sadio Mane scored his first goal of the tournament, converting a pass from Pape Gueye to secure the win for Senegal.
Andre Onana was powerless to stop Mane’s shot, and the Cameroonian goalkeeper could only watch as Senegal celebrated their sixth point of the campaign. The win sees Senegal become the first team to qualify for the knockout stage, while Cameroon must now rely on other results to progress.
Senegal will next face Guinea in their final group match on Tuesday, while Cameroon takes on Gambia in a must-win encounter. The outcome of these matches will determine the fate of both teams in the tournament.