Mane rescues Terenga Lions at the death after converting a penalty following a handball by Zimbabwe defender Kelvin Madzongwe

Afcon

Senegal 1-0 Zimbabwe

It required time beyond normal time for one of the tournament favourites Senegal to secure three vital points on day two of the African Nations Cup finals being played in Cameroon.

Terenga Lions powered home from the spot through their starman Sadio Mane in the 97th minute. Zimbabwe defender Kelvin Madzongwe handled the ball in his goalkeeper’s area with the referee close to him pointing to the spot kick.

Senegal should have been three goals up by the final whistle from the referee had Mane, Abdou Diallo and Bouna Sarr converted opportunities earlier on in the game.

The Terenga Lions had Mane, Doulaye Dia and Keita Balde leading the line with the Liverpool star at the pivot. Senegal, who had been hit by Covid-19 forcing three of their stars to sit out, had to leave it very late.

Captain Kalidou Koulibaly, Chelsea goalkeeper Edourd Mendy and Alanyaspor forward Famara Diedhiou were confirmed with Covid-19 in the team’s camp ahead of the group game.

Diedhiou and Ismail Sarr have been prolific for Senegal in the qualification stages of Afcon.

While the Alanyaspor forward is in the Terenga Lions’ camp, Sarr stayed back with his English Premier League club Watford.

The forward who played a crucial role in the qualifiers has caused friction between his club and country.

Senegal blasted Watford for faking injury yet they believe Sarr should have joined the team’s contingent for the Afcon.

Senegal will pray Diedhiou recovers in time to help them lead the line having already done the early job of securing three points through Mane’s penalty.

Diedhiou who grabbed a hattrick for his nation against Namibia last year will certainly improve their attack in the tougher knockout stages.

Zimbabwe did not threaten their defence without Napoli star Coulibaly but they will need his experience and the excellent Chelsea goalkeeper Mendy.  

Aliou Cissé who had to assemble 18 players for Zimbabwe must ensure he does not suffer more cases if he is to live by the tagline of tournament favourites.

For now he needs to negotiate his way out of the group which also has Guinea and Malawi. Guinea collected three points from their opening game against minnows Malawi.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-Nt_xZ109k