Senegal are through to the quarter-finals of the 2017 AFCON with a match to spare after winning their second group “B” fixture 2-0 against Zimbabwe in Franceville on Thursday 19th.
Liverpool forward Sadio Mane broke the deadlock with an easy tap-in eight minutes into play, with Henri Saivet doubling the lead with a beautifully struck free-kick in the 13th minute to seal the win – making them the first team to reach the last eight.
The Lions of Teranga, who beat Tunisia in their previous fixture, will at least need a point in their next match against Algeria to run away with the group as leaders.
Tipped as one of the title favorites, Senegal were majestic against the Warriors of Zimbabwe – dominating play with high pressing, sleek passing and power.
Prodigy Keita Balde was specifically a handful for the Warriors, with his elegance and a bagful of trickery, which wowed the crowd.
He set up Mane for the opener with an inviting cross from the left after leaving his markers for the dead, with the 2016 African Player of the Year runners-up tapping in with little effort.
Wasteful Mame Diouf, who would later be pulled off for Moussa Sow, squandered a seater in the 11th minute, but Saivet was not to be denied two minutes later – striking a peach of a free-kick after Onismor Bhasera fouled Balde on the edge of the box.
Mathew Rusike responded for the Warriors with a rasping close range shot in the 28th minute, after being fed by Khama Billiat, who was largely missing in the game, but the effort was well blocked.
Nyasha Mushekwi’s close range shot in the 33rd minute was equally blocked.
However, the best chance of the half for the Southern Africans landed Billiat’s way in the 43rd minute. The Mamelodi Sundowns diminutive striker raced past two defenders – beating them with pace, but his shot was punched away by Senegal keeper Abdoulaye Diallo.
Zimbabwe were more desperate in the second half despite introduction of Orland Pirates’ forward Tendai Ndoro, as the pressure kept pilling.
Nonetheless, Senegal were overly wasteful – failing to convert numerous clear cut chances they created, with Mane and Balde the biggest culprits.
Mane shot straight at Zimbabwe keeper Tatenda Mkuruva with no one else to beat in the 68th minute.
Mushekwe came closest for Zimbabwe in the 71st minute, but was denied by Diallo. Khama blasted wide later in a desperate attempt to at least pick a consolation.
Senegal managed to keep the score line tidy for a second clean sheet.
The Team Sheet:
