Senegal claimed a 2-0 win in their final match of the group stages in the 2023 AFCON at Stade Charles Konan Banny de Yamoussoukro to book a spot in the Last 16 with a 100% record.
Senegal came into the last game of the group stages against Guinea, having qualified for the AFCON 2023 round of 16.
The Lions of Teranga beat Gambia 3-0 in their AFCON opener before beating Cameroon 3-1 to secure a spot in the knockout stages.
Senegal are labelled as the favourites to lift the trophy after winning the previous AFCON showpiece held in Cameroon in 2021. The defending champions dominated the ball possession in the opening minutes of the match but failed to create goal-scoring opportunities.
Meanwhile, Guinea came into this clash sitting second on the Group C log and looking to book a place in the Last 16. In their previous games, Guinea played to a 1-1 draw with Cameroon before walking away with a slender 1-0 win over Gambia in the second match of the tournament.
Guinea launched a few counterattacks as they searched for an opening goal, but Senegal remained resolute at the back.
The referee blew the half-time whistle with the two sides deadlocked at 0-0, and they’ll have it all to do in the second half.
ABDOULAYE SECK OPEN THE SCORING FOR SENEGAL
Senegal came close to finding the back of the net in the 56th minute through Sadio Mane, who made a good run to eliminate the goalkeeper, but his shot was wide off target. They eventually scored an opener through Abdoulaye Seck in the 61st minute.
The reigning champions held on to the lead to walk away with a 2-0 win and finish group stages with a 100% record after winning all three games. Iliman Ndiaye scored the second goal, with Mane providing the assist.
In the other match, Cameroon faced off against Gambia in the last match of Group C. The Indomitable Lions won 3-2 against Gambia to qualify for the knockout stages.
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