From our special correspondent in Yamoussoukro – Senegal did not tremble on Monday when it launched its African Cup of Nations. The reigning champion quickly opened the scoring and controlled his subject against Gambia, reduced to 10 after the expulsion of Ebou Adams. The young Lamine Camara scored a double.
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No false start for the African champions. Determined to achieve a double, Senegal won its derby on Monday January 15 against Gambia in the first match of Group C of CAN 2024. A victory in style thanks in particular to a double from Lamine Camara (3-0).
On the other hand, for the Charles Konan Banny stadium in Yamoussoukro, this first match of the CAN displays a mixed result. Once again, the stadium sounded empty despite the atmosphere set by the supporters of the 12th Senegalese Gaïnde and the very early arrival of the Guineans, before their match against Cameroon. The stadium’s sound system also experienced some hiccups during each team’s anthems, finished a cappella by the supporters present.
On the field, Senegalese goalkeeper Édouard Mendy avoids a false note by boxing out a powerful strike from Lasana Manneh (1st). Then Pape Gueye launches the recital of the Lions of Teranga by concluding an action initiated by Diatta and punctuated by an intelligent pass from Sadio Mané (4th, 1-0).
The match is rhythmic at first. Senegal maintains possession by circulating the ball from one wing to the other, from Mané to Diatta. The Scorpions, however, do not want to be silenced and try to break through the Senegalese wall, particularly with a free kick (16th, 33rd).
Red card for Gambia
Alliou Cissé warned at a press conference: “It’s difficult to play at 2 p.m. (…) It’s very hot to play football.” The heat of the Ivorian capital proves him right and the 22 actors quickly struggle to maintain intensity. The match is broken and Ebou Adams commits the irreparable on the young Lamine Camara. Yellow turns into red under the control of video refereeing (45th+2).
Despite this expulsion which compromises its chances of returning, Gambia returns to the field with good intentions. Musa Barrow attempts a shot from 25 meters. Édouard Mendy relaxes to push back. Minteh has the opportunity to resume facing the empty goal but screws up (48th).
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The Lions of Teranga immediately calm the ardor of their neighbors. Lamine Camara concludes after a pass from Kouyé and proves that he will be a serious candidate for the title of best young person in the CAN (52nd, 2-0). He celebrates his first goal in an African Cup as he should.
Aliou Cissé takes the opportunity to rotate and launches Nicolas Jackson up front in place of Habib Diallo for his first CAN, while Pathé Ciss comes in in place of another Diallo, Abou, in defensive midfielder.
Despite fatigue and the balance of power, the Scorpions do not give up, like their captain Omar Colley (67th). On the Senegalese side, Chelsea midfielder Nicolas Jackson stands out but Gaye diverts (70th). It was finally Lamine Camara, again, who completed Senegal’s victory by sending a ball into the top corner (86th, 3-0) and added a man of the match title to his bag.
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Before the match, the Senegalese supporters all showed their confidence in their team ahead of this first day of the tournament. And Aliou Cissé’s band proved them right, by immediately taking the lead in group C., thanks to the draw between Cameroon and Guinea which occurred later in the day.