AFCON DAILY: Cape Verde and Senegal book their place in the knockout rounds, Guinea edge a 1-0 victory over Gambia
In the sixth edition of AFCON Daily, you can catch up with all the action that took place on January 19th as Cape Verde become the first team to secure qualification to the knockout stages and top group B with a 3-0 win against Mozambique.
Group C kicked off with their second games of the tournament as the defending champions Senegal inflict a heavy blow on Cameroon’s qualification hopes, and Guinea beat Gambia 1-0 taking them into second in Group C.
You can also take a look at our previews for today’s matches, where another exciting day of football seems likely.
Cape Verde 3–0 Mozambique
Cape Verde became the first team to qualify for the knockout stages of AFCON 2023 after defeating Mozambique 3-0.
Thunderous strikes from Bebé and Kevin Pina gave The Blue Sharks their first and third goals, while Ryan Mendes netted the second.
As the least populous nation at the tournament, finishing first in a Group B containing Egypt and Ghana is a truly remarkable achievement.
The Blue Sharks found themselves whiskers away from a stunning opener in the 24th minute when Bebé’s 35-yard free-kick crashed against the Mozambican crossbar.
The woodwork would not deny the striker in the 32nd minute though, as a fizzing forty-yard free-kick opened the scoring.
Impressive as the strike was, Ernan Siluane should have done better in the Mozambican goal.
Mozambique received a glimmer of hope in the 40th minute when Geny Catamo slithered between two Cape Verde defenders and won a penalty, but the decision was overturned after a VAR check.
Cape Verde were the next to strike though, with Mendes converting from close range after Edmilson Dove ceded possession in the 51st minute.
The Mambas almost bounced back through Geny, who added to the game’s catalogue of impressive free-kicks in the 59th minute, but was denied by the crossbar.
Pina then punctuated the Blue Sharks victory, sending a lashed long-range effort into the top-left corner during the 69th minute.
Jonny Coffey
Senegal 3-1 Cameroon
Defending champions Senegal booked their place in the knockout stages with a dominant 3-1 win against Cameroon at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium.
Ismaïla Sarr was instrumental in the first two goals, opening the scoring early on and then turning provider for Habib Diallo 20 minutes from time.
Jean-Charles Castelletto’s 83rd minute header gave Cameroon a glimmer of hope, but Sadio Mané’s stoppage time goal sealed victory for the Teranga Lions, who remain perfect at the top of Group C.
For the Indomitable Lions, the task is simple. Win or go home against Gambia.
Ismaïla Sarr put Senegal ahead in the 16th minute, after his low-driven shot inside the box deflected off André-Frank Zambo Anguissa into the bottom right corner.
Mané nearly doubled Senegal’s lead five minutes before the break after Lamine Camara slipped him through on the left wing, but Enzo Tchato made a crucial last-ditch block.
Senegal deservedly doubled their lead in the 71st minute, as Sarr’s low-driven cross from the right flank found Diallo, who tapped into an empty net.
Cameroon pulled one back with their first attempt on target, after Olivier Ntcham’s inviting ball from a short corner was attacked by Jean-Charles Victor Castelletto at the near post.
Casteletto then nearly turned provider when his deep cross found Georges-Kévin Nkoudou at the back post, but his header went inches wide as he kicked the post in frustration.
It proved costly, as Mané’s expertly taken first-time finish from Idrissa Gana Gueye sealed Senegalese victory at the death.
The Teranga Lions roar on to the Round of 16.
Emile Nuh
Guinea 1-0 Gambia
Guinea beat the Gambia in a Group C clash that not only was a massive step toward qualification to the knockout rounds of this years tournament but also avenges their defeat to Gambia in the AFCON 2021 round of 16.
The first half of the game was very cagey, with only a few notable chances. Guinea took control of the match in the second half when Aguibou Camara slotted it in from close range to score the only goal of the contest.
There weren’t many glaring opportunities in the first half for either side, but one did come for Guinea’s Mohamed Bayo in the 32nd minute when he hit the post after a well worked move.
It must be said that it was definitely not the most exciting half of football that we’ve seen so far in the tournament.
The second half was a lot more intense, and both teams looked threatening.
Another good chance would come the way of the Guineans in the 60th minute when Bayo puts through a great pass to Sekou Sylla who scuffed his shot.
However it was the Guineans who broke the deadlock in the 69th minute. Another nicely worked move that came from the wings involving Morgan Guilavogui, was finished off from six yards by Camara.
Bayo struck the woodwork again in the 74th minute, this time the crossbar, failing to hit the target after Guilavogui threaded through a fantastic ball.
Substitute Yankuba Minteh provided some much needed energy for the Gambians and nearly levelled it up when he scored a very well taken goal in the 79th minute, however it was called offside.
Another significant substitution came for Guinea in the 77th minute when one of their most decorated and talented players returned from injury. Former Liverpool man Naby Keita came on to a loud applause at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium.
Overall the Guineans victory was well earned as they were able to prevent Gambia from having a single shot on goal throughout the match, although missed opportunities meant it was a nervy end to the encounter.
Max Flanagan
What’s on today?
Algeria v Burkina Faso (14:00 GMT)
Neither Algeria or Burkina Faso started the tournament in great form. Burkina Faso scraped past Mauritania with a late Bertrand Traore penalty and Algeria were held to a disappointing draw with Angola.
A win is crucial for Algeria to regain some confidence after their lacklustre display against Angola as it will take pressure off their final group game against Mauritania.
Algeria have been eliminated at the group stage on the last three times they’ve failed to win their opening match at the AFCON, so will be hoping history does not repeat itself.
Burkina Faso are in a more comfortable position after their opening win but they were far from convincing against Mauritania.
Mauritania v Angola (17:00 GMT)
In the other Group D tie, Angola will be looking to beat Mauritania to put real pressure on Algeria and Burkina Faso going into the final group fixtures.
Mauritania put in an impressive performance against Burkina Faso in that last-minute defeat so will be far from a walk-over. However, Angola have more momentum going into the game after their second-half comeback against Algeria.
Tunisia v Mali (20:00 GMT)
The day concludes with a significant Group E match, as Mali and Tunisia go head-to-head.
Tunisia desperately need a win after their shock loss to Namibia in their opening match. They will do well to get out of the group with zero points on the board and games against Mali and South Africa to come, especially if they continue to play how they did against Namibia.
Mali, meanwhile, were impressive against South Africa, they bounced back from a slow start to win 2-0 and possess serious talent throughout their team.
It will be interesting to see what Éric Chelle does with Yves Bissouma, who struggled to have an impact against South Africa. He was substituted off in the 58th minute, after which Mali scored two goals in eight minutes.
Michael Thomas
