AFCON: Senegal Open Title Defense With 3-0 Win Over Gambia

By: Gyang Dakwo

Defending champions Senegal began the defence of their Africa Cup of Nations title with a 3-0 win against ten-man Gambia.

Aliou Cisse’s side made the perfect start when Sadio Mane teed up an unmarked Pape Gueye who rifled his shot into the bottom corner from inside the box.

Gambia created some good opportunies in the first half with Musa Barrow curling a free-kick into the side netting while Ali Sowe headed over following a corner.

However their chances of salvaging something were dealt a huge blow before half-time when Ebou Adams was shown a red card for a studs up challenge after a VAR check.

The Teranga Lions then made their man advantage count when Ismaïla Sarr threaded the ball through to Lamine Camara who timed his run perfectly to score with a low shot.

In the closing minutes, Camara capped off a player of the match performance by curling a beautiful first time shot from outside the box into the top corner for the third.