BAFOUSSAM, Cameroon —
Liverpool star
Sadio Mane converted
a penalty deep in added time to snatch a fortunate 1-0 win for Senegal over
Zimbabwe in the
Africa Cup of Nations Group B opener on Monday in Bafoussam.
اضافة اعلان
Disaster struck the gallant underdogs when a
shot hit the right arm of Kelvin Madzongwe and Mane sent goalkeeper Petros
Mhari the wrong way with the resulting penalty on 97 minutes to settle a
lackluster affair.
While Senegal, one of the favorites to win a
competition delayed by COVID-19, dominated possession, they rarely threatened
to break down a well-organized Zimbabwe defense.
"It was difficult playing in such hot
conditions and not having an opportunity to play any warm-up matches affected
us," said Mane.
"We left it very late to score, but the
most important issue was to secure maximum points and we achieved that. Now we
must try to perform better against Guinea."
Senegal lacked Chelsea goalkeeper
Edouard Mendy and Napoli center-back
Kalidou Koulibaly, who are recovering in Cameroon
after testing positive for the coronavirus.
Zimbabwe travelled to central Africa without
a couple of their top players, Marvelous Nakamba from Aston Villa and fellow
midfielder Marshall Munetsi from French Ligue 1 outfit Reims, due to
injuries.
With reigning African Footballer of the Year
Mane and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Idrissa Gueye in the starting line-up,
Senegal were expected to secure maximum points without undue difficulty.
The opening 20 minutes were controlled by
the Teranga Lions, who camped in the Zimbabwe half and passed the ball casually
while their opponents did a lot of chasing at a sparsely populated Stade de
Kouekong.
Lively start
Senegal issued a declaration of their
intentions within 45 seconds of the kick-off in 30 degrees Celsius heat when
Bouna Sarr fired narrowly wide from just outside the box.
Sarr from German and European giants Bayern
Munich went even closer midway through the opening half with a shot across the
goal that was just off target.
After a quiet start, Mane burst between two
defenders on 24 minutes only to see his low shot, aimed at the far corner of
the net, blocked by Mhari.
As the half-progressed Zimbabwe began to
move into Senegalese territory and should have done better from a free-kick
inside the D with 30 minutes gone.
Captain Knowledge Musona took the set-piece
and should have at least found the target instead of watching his tame attempt
go harmlessly wide.
As half-time approached in the western
highlands of Cameroon, Mane turned provider, setting up unmarked Gueye, who was
let down by his first touch as he prepared to shoot at goal.
A goalless opening half ended with Senegal
back on the attack and
Fode Ballo-Toure firing into the side netting.
The second half followed a similar pattern
to the first as Senegal dominated possession without seriously threatening to
take the lead.
Mhari rescued Zimbabwe 16 minutes from time
when he dived to cut off a cross destined for Mane at the far post.
Senegal survived a scare as full-time loomed
with a Zimbabwe free-kick creating a half chance before the ball was grasped by
goalkeeper Seny Dieng.
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