Host nation Senegal got off to a good start at the 2019 West African Football Union (WAFU) Nations Cup with an impressive 3-1 victory over Guinea-Bissau at the Stade Lat Dior on Saturday, September 28.
Djibril Gueye put Senegal in front after he capitalized on an error from Guinea-Bissau’s defence in the 10th minute that saw him skillfully beat the keeper before watching his initial right-foot shot cleared off the line, but was not properly done to prevent him from scoring the opening goal, as he fired home the opener from a rebound.
Half an hour on the clock, Assane Mbodji made it 2-0 for Senegal when Assane Mbodji made his way through to Guinea-Bissau’s defence to get a goal from a beautiful connection and teamwork down the right flank.
Guinea-Bissau scored a consolation goal in the 40th minute through substitute Claudio Gomes, who replaced Aliou Cassama.
Gomes was introduced in the 34th when his side looked to be disconcerted, but his introduction brought some relief to his team. His goal resulted from a brilliant skill work that saw him beat two Senegalese defenders in the box before perfectly tapping the ball to the back of the net to make it 2-1.
The consolation kept Senegal’s defence on their back-foot as Guinea-Bissau raised the tempo in search of an equalizer, but the home side finally emerged as the best team of the day after Abdoulaye Ba walked the ball into the net in the 86th minute to complete Senegal’s 3-1 win.
Senegal have progressed to the quarterfinals of the Cup competition where they will play the winner of the match between Guinea and Benin on October 3, while Guinea-Bissau will take part in the Plate quarterfinals and play the loser.
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