Senegal defeated Zimbabwe 2-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations Group B clash in Franceville on Thursday night to become the first team to book a place in the quarterfinals.
Combined with Tunisia’s 2-1 win over Algeria earlier in the evening, the Teranga Lions’ victory – secured by first-half goals from Sadio Mane and Henri Saivet – assures them of progression to the knockout stages.
Senegal were on the front foot from the first whistle and it was no surprise when Sadio Mane put them 1-0 up in the ninth minute. The Liverpool player turned Keita Balde’s low cross into an empty net after a swift counter attack from the West Africans.
Four minutes later it was 2-0, with Henri Saivet scoring one of the best goals of the tournament thus far. The midfielder found the back of the net direct from a free kick about 25 metres out, giving Zimbabwe goalkeeper Tatenda Mkuruva no chance.
Zimbabwe took a while to find their feet in the game, but they bossed the last 15 minutes of the first half in terms of possession and territory. However, they were nowhere near as dangerous in attack and Senegal’s defence looked more than capable of soaking up whatever was thrown at them.-Supersport
