Defending Champions Senegal have qualified to the Knockout Phase of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations following a convincing 3-1 victory over Cameroon.

In this game billed the battle of the Lions, it was the Lions of Teranga who dominated the Indomitable Lions in a Group C match played at the Charles Konan Banny stadium in Yamoussoukro on Friday.

Ismaila Sarr, Habib Dialo and Sadio Mane got the goals for the Senegalese while Jean-Charles Castelleto pulled a goal back for Cameroon.

Andre Onana came into the Cameroon team as the preference ahead of Fabrice Ondoa following his delayed arrival in their first match.

In the absence of talisman Vincent Aboubakar, Rigobert Song was counting on Franck Magri and Jean-Charles Castelleto to bang in the goals. Karl Toko Ekambi was an unused substitute on the bench.

Sadio Mane was always going to be the main man for the defending champions with Ismaila Sarr looking to give him support.

It was Sarr who broke the deadlock in the 16th minute with his effort deflecting into the net past Andre Onana.

In the 71st minute, Habib Dialo gave Senegal a 2 nill lead after a fine sweeping move.Castelleto pulled one back in the 84th minute to make it an interesting last few minutes.

However, Mane sealed the win in addition time with a well taken shot past Onana to make it two wins out of two for the African Champions.

Senegal become the second team to qualify to the next round and will now face Guinea in their last group match on Tuesday while Cameroon lock horns with The Gambia on the same day with the two games played simultaneously.

Kelvin Trudeau Musako

Football Journalist | TotalEnergies AFCON 2021 Photographer | Media Officer - Kabwe Warriors FC | Graphic Designer | Videographer