Sadio Mane was able to put in the finishing touch to ensure Senegal defeat the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon 3-1, despite the return of star goalkeeper Andre Onana.
By Olisa Obi
Senegal booked their place in the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a deserved 3-1 win over Cameroon.
The scoring was opened by Ismaila Sarr in the first-half, beating Andre Onana with the help of a deflection. Although Senegal were made to wait for their second goal, it was no surprise when it came with 20 minutes remaining for the defending AFCON champions.
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Sarr was involved again with the second goal, this time providing the assist by playing a lovely ball across the face of goal, and Habib Diallo was on hand at the back post to turn the ball into an empty net as he slid in.
Cameroon’s first shot on target did not come until the 83rd minute, but it brought a goal and set up a grandstand finish. A corner was taken short before it eventually was whipped in, and Jean-Charles Castelletto rose well to power a header past Edouard Mendy.
That threatened a nervy finish, as Cameroon for the first time in the match offered a a serious threat. They wasted a massive chance to equalise deep into stoppage-time.
Castelletto whipped a brilliant ball into the middle, finding an unmarked Georges-Kevin N’Koudou who somehow headed wide from six-yards out.
And it proved a costly miss, as the match was put to bed seconds later. Pape Gueye cut the ball back for the former African player of the year, Sadio Mane, who picked his spot perfectly as he swept in a first-time finish beyond the reach of Onana.
While Senegal have secured their place, Cameroon will have to beat Gambia (who are already out of the group stage) and hope that Guinea loses to Senegal.
