From our special correspondent in Yamoussoukro – Senegal qualified for the round of 16 of the African Cup of Nations on Friday by beating Cameroon 3 goals to 1. A second victory in as many matches which places it at the top of Group C and offers it a guaranteed place in the round of 16.
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Two matches, two victories. Senegal continues its march towards its dream of retaining its African crown. The Lions of Teranga took the lead over Cameroon in the Group C clash on Friday January 19 to validate their ticket to the round of 16 of the African Cup of Nations.
It was the most anticipated match of the group stage. Destiny had placed Senegal, reigning African champion, in the same group as Cameroon and its five coronations. The current emperor of Africa and his 5 football CANs in different categories conquered in two years and a Giant of history. A duel of Lions, between the Indomitables and those of Teranga.
A shock like this rarely begins on the field. From the press conference, Cameroonian striker Georges-Kevin Nkoudou recalled the history of his country: “It’s true that Senegal is the favorite of the competition, but as I always say, you should never bury Cameroon, we remain a great team and a great nation,” he declared.
Not “the continent, but the continental hotel”
Aliou Cissé also showed respect for history, while recalling that Senegal was no longer the eternal loser of Africa: “Cameroon has already won many continental titles and we will face a team motivated to catch up with the result she got in the first match, and Senegal grew.”
His former partner, El Hadji Diouf, was more assertive: “Cameroon has regressed. Today, I feel bad for the Cameroonian supporters, I feel bad for the Cameroonians. They say that they are the continent, It’s more like the continental hotel because they rely on their history.”
Goal by Ismaïla Sarr
Enough to ignite the powder and prick the sleeping Indomitable Lion, anxious to forget the poor performance against Guinea. Except that on the ground, it is the Senegalese who are the bosses. On a corner, the ball is boxed, then deflected by the chest of Pape Matar Sarr. With her back to goal, her namesake Ismaïla Sarr turns and strikes. Slightly deflected, the ball ends up at the bottom (12e1-0).
The first half is impressively mastery for the Senegalese. Opposite, the Cameroonians remain powerless. To the despair of their federation president and glorious elder, Samuel Eto’o who is boiling in the stands.
Senegal sharp, Cameroon powerless
And the worst thing is that Senegal could have further increased their advantage before the break. On a 4 against 2 counter, Lamine Camara fixes the Cameroonian defense but makes a mistake in the last gesture: he tries to serve Habib Diallo in the axis while Sarr and Sadio Mané were unmarked (22e).
The intentions are good for the Cameroonians after returning from the locker room, but the execution is poor. If the domination is there, they remain powerless to create clear opportunities.
The opposite of Senegal, dangerous as soon as he launches an attack. Like when Lamine Camara finds Ismaïl Sarr in the area, who is too generous instead of trying his luck (53e). Or like when this same Sarr is launched deep on the right side and finds Habib Diallo at the far post without the latter finishing (62e).
The inevitable happens. The Lions of Teranga take advantage of a loss of ball at the entrance to their opponents’ area. Ismaïla Sarr inherits the ball on the right and crosses hard in front of the goal. Habib Diallo just has to push (71e2-0).
Read alsoFind the classification of group C
Lions supporters exult at the crestfallen expression of the Cameroonians, who are sent back to their studies. In African football, it is never good to dwell on the past.
Castelletto reduced the score at the end of the match (84e2-1) and believed to equalize in stoppage time when Magri’s header brushed the post (90e+1). But Senegal quickly calms the desires of their feline counterparts by folding the match with a goal from Sadio Mané (90e+4, 3-1).
It’s cruel and the Indomitable Lions will have to fight, because the slightest misstep against Gambia could result in their elimination next Tuesday.
The only bad news for Senegal was the exit at the end of the match of Lamine Camara, its young nugget: injury or exhaustion? The soap opera could fuel the column in the coming days.