AFCON 2021
Main Mane gets Senegal the win
SADIO MANE bagged a last-gasp penalty to hand pre-tournament favourites Senegal a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe at the start of their Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
Zimbabwe defender Kelvin Madzongwe was penalised for blocking a shot with his hand in the penalty area in a heartbreaking turn of events for his side as they were on the cusp of an upset at the start of Group B action.
Senegal are Africa’s top-ranked team but had only 18 players available for their opening group match because of coronavirus and injury.
Despite a lion’s share of possession and opportunities, it was a tepid performance.
Senegal’s Boulaye Dia thrashed a shot just wide of the Zimbabwe goal after 40 seconds.
Mane had one enterprising move down the left flank, tricking his way past two defenders but then hitting his angled effort straight at keeper Petros Mhari.
Captain Idrissa Gueye had a great chance for Senegal seven minutes from half-time with just the keeper to beat but his first touch was too heavy and he blew it. With 20 minutes to go, Senegal defender Abdou Diallo came close with a headed attempt from a free-kick, putting it just over the bar.
Zimbabwe were restricted to a handful of counter-attack chances and set-piece opportunities, the best of which their captain Knowledge Musona wasted by floating it over the top.
And seven minutes into injury-time, Liverpool star Mane made the difference from the spot.
The other group game also ended in a 1-0 win as Guinea saw off Malawi.
The only goal came when left-back Issiaga Sylla slotted in 10 minutes before the break after good hold-up play by striker Jose Kante.
Morocco’s Sofiane Boufal seized on a loose ball to score seven minutes from time and secure a 1-0 win over Ghana in their opening Group C match.
Boufal hammered home after a mazy run into the penalty area from Zakaria Aboukhlal.
The other group game saw debutants Comoros lose 1-0 to Gabon thanks to Aaron Boupendza’s first-half strike.