Senegal have fired their way into the semi finals of the 2021Africa Cup of Nations with an impressive 3-1 win over Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.
As a result, the Teranga Lions reached the semi-finals where they will take on Burkina Faso on Wednesday, while Nzalang National bowed out of the tournament.
Boulaye Dia almost opened the scoring for Senegal after just three minutes but the striker’s shot was easily dealt with by Jesus Owono.
Emilio Nsue tried his luck from range just a minute later as the defender’s low-driven effort was comfortably dealt with by Eduardo Mendy.
The Lions of Teranga again in the 15th minute as Sadio Mane went on surging run before firing at Owono who got down well to deny the Senegal attacker .
Senegal eventually took the lead after their early dominance in the 28th minute as Famara Diedhiou ran in behind the defenders before hammering a low shot into the near bottom corner from Mane’s through ball.
It took a while for Equatorial Guinea to get going and they produced their first effort on target in the 34th minute, as Nsue forced Mendy into a fine low save from distance.
Senegal then took control and almost doubled their lead in the 40th minute but Ovono came rushing off his line to deny Bouna Sarr from close range.
Juam Micha’s side struggled to get the ball off the Lions of Teranga and when they did get possession, the final ball was not good enough.
Alliou Cisse’s side certainly ended the first 45 minutes as the stronger of the two and were full value for their 1-0 lead at the break.
Equatorial Guinea threatened five minutes after the restart as Iban Ebu flicked a cross off the hand of Kalidou Koulibaly but the referee denied penalty call after VAR review.
The Nzalang Nacional eventually found an equalizer on the 57th minute when Pablo Ganet picked out Jannick Buyla, who controlled the ball with his left and hammered it across the keeper into the far bottom corner with his right.
Iban Salvador almost placed Equatorial Guinea ahead on the hour mark but his powerful effort from 30-yards out forced Mendy into a fine save.
Senegal made it two goals on the 67th minute when Cheikhou Kouyate produced a fine finish after the Nzalang National defenders failed to clear their backline.
The result was put beyond doubt in the 78th minute when a quick counter-attack from Senegal saw Saliou Ciss break down the left and supply a low cross for Ismailla Sarr to tap home from six-yards out, 3-1.
Equatorial Guinea tried to find some consolation after that, but Senegal held on for a comfortable win.
Teams:
Senegal: Edouard Mendy – Abdou Diallo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Saliou Ciss, Bouna Sarr – Nampalys Mendy, Pape Gueye (Cheikhou Kouyate 65), Idrissa Gana Gueye – Boulaye Dia, Sadio Mane, Famara Diedhiou (Bamba Dieng 65)
Equatorial Guinea: Jesus Owono, Carlos Akapo, Esteban Obiang, Saul Coco, Basilio Ndong – Iban Salvador, Pablo Ganet (Frederiko Bikoro 72), Jose Machin, Jannick Buyla – Josete Miranda, Emilio Nsue (Pedro Oba 81)
