Senegal booked their place in the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals with a hard-fought 2-0 win over 9-man Cape Verde at the Stade Omnisport de Bafoussam on Tuesday night.
Goals from Sadio Mane and Bamba Dieng saw the Lions of Teranga through to the next round after the dismissals of Correia Andrade and Josimaris Dias.
Senegal had the first sight on goal in the opening minute when Sadio Mane’s right footed shot hit the woodwork from the centre of the box.
On the 21st minute Cape Verde were reduced to ten-men after Andrade was sent off for reckless challenge on Pape Gueye following a VAR check.
On the 33-minute mark, Idrissa Gueye failed to make the most of a Cape Verde defensive error as his effort from the box landed in Vozinha hands.
The best chance for Cape Verde came on the 42nd minute when Jamiro Monteiro blasted a shot which Eduardo Mendy saved.
It proved to be a busy evening for Dias, as the shot-stopper did brilliantly to keep out Papa Gueye’s powerful header.
However, the custodian was dismissed on the 57th minute after he was shown a straight red card for airborne challenge on Sadio Mane.
Five minutes later, Senegal broke the deadlock courtesy of Sadio Mane strike from the edge of the box , his second goal of the tournament.
Despite going a man down, Cape Verde nearly increased their advantage in the 85th minute, as Júlio Tavares shot was saved right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Senegal did eventually seal the win in the dying minutes of the game courtesy of Bamba Dieng who sent a right footed shot past the goalkeeper following a fast break.
How they lined up:
Senegal: Edouard Mendy – Bouna Sarr, Kalidou Koulibaly, Saliou Ciss, Amadou Diallo – Idrissa Gana Gueye, Nampalys Mendy, Pape Gueye – Famara Diedhiou, Boulaye Dia, Sadio Mane.
Cape Verde: Vozinha – Stopira, Roberto Lopes (Diney 46), Steven Fortes – Dylan Tavres, Kenny Rocha, Patrick Andrade, Jeffry Fortes – Jamiro Monteiro, Ryan Mendes, Garry Mendes
