Senegal made an early statement of intent as they eased to a 2-0 win over Togo in their opening Group H 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Stade Lat Dior in Thies on Wednesday afternoon.
The Teranga Lions were too strong for the Sparrow Hawks who were kept in the game by some lacklustre finishing by the West Africans.
Senegal should’ve been two goals up inside the opening 10 minutes, but Pape Sarr failed to convert two gilt-edged chances for the tournament favourites.
The first real goalscoring chance for Togo fell for Kodjo Laba against the run of play, but the Al-Ain forward shot-come-cross from inside the box was well-saved by goalkeeper Malcolm Barcola.
The threat sparked Senegal into life with Sadio Mane seeing a lot of the ball in Sparrow Hawks’ half and he played a through pass for Ismaila Sarr, who hit the side-netting with Barcola rooted to the ground.
Shortly after keeper Edouard Mendy had gathered Gilles Sunu curling attempt from a free-kick with ease, Senegal broke on the counter-attack with Boulaye Diya setting up Mane on the left flank.
Mane quickly cut inside, before unleashing a scorching shot which was blocked by Barcola, who then gathered a rebound shot from Gana Gueye on the stroke of half-time and the score was 0-0 at the interval.
Senegal continued to dominate after the halftime break and eventually broke the deadlock on the 56th minute thanks to a powerful finish from Sadio Mane.
Togo went for a substitution midway inside the second half and had Gilles Sunu withdrawn for TP Mazembe’s striker Marouf Tchakei.
Uncertainty in Sparrow Hawks defence later on had Senegal doubling the lead in the 81st minute courtesy of Abdou Diallo finish.
More positive spells followed the Teranga Lions in the closing stages, as Joseph Lopy dragged a cutback from Gueye narrowly past the bottom-corner.
With Togo pushing more men forward in the added minutes of the match, Senegal defended in numbers to ensure that they walked away 2-0 winners.
