Senegal survived the scare of Malawi to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) knockout round following a goalless draw with the Flames in a Group B match played on Tuesday evening in Cameroon.
The Teranga Lions finished on top with five points followed by second and third-placed Guinea and Malawi on four points each. Zimbabwe finished bottom with three points.
Guinea have also sailed through whereas the Flames await results from other groups to see if they would be among four third-best finishers across the six pools to sneak through.
Coach Mario Marinica returned to the dugout for Malawi after missing games against Guinea and Zimbabwe after testing positive Covid.
The Romanian opted to start with debutant goalkeeper Charles Thom in place of bedridden Ernest Kakhobwe whereas striker Richard Mbulu made way for Micium Mhone in a 4-4-2 formation.
Senegal recalled goalkeeper Eduardo Mendy and defender Kalidou Koulibaly to the starting line-up in a 4-3-3 system.
Bruno Sarr rolled the ball into the 18-yard box where Mane skipped Stanley Sanudi’s tackle to flick the ball past sprawling goalkeeper Charles Thom and over the post in the seventh minute.
In reply, Gabadinho Mhango, after chesting down a long ball from the left wing, turned and tried to shoot but Senegal defenders blocked the effort.
Minutes later, Mhango went down injured after being challenged by Koulibaly and afterwards, Senegal lost possession to Muyaba who threatened to score from range but his effort flew into the sky.
Senegal targeted Mhango again with Cheikh Kouyate elbowing the Orlando Pirates man in a heading duel and this time around, the Crystal Palace midfielder received a yellow card.
Malawi won a free-kick in the 31st minute but Mhango’s effort deflected out for a corner-kick which the Pirates man wasted.
Muyaba picked Mhango with a delightful pass in the 37th minute but Senegal defenders closed his sight to the goalposts and he passed backwards and to nowhere.
The Flames came knocking again this time around Gomezgani Chirwa overlapping on the left before dispatching a shot from a tight angle where Mendy tipped the ball over for a corner-kick which the Chelsea keeper smothered.
Senegal reminded the Malawian that they were still around when Diallo opened fire but the Flames deflected the effort away.
The second-half clicked into top hear with Daillo nearly scoring with a flick from a free-kick but Thom leapt to keep the effort over the bar.
A few minutes later, Gaye scorched the palms of Thom with a swerving free-kick but the debutant tipped it over.
Malawi survived again minutes later as Chembezi Denis made a last ditch clearance to deny Senegal in the 59th minute.
Sensing trouble, Marinica pulled out early Muyaba and Mhone for Yamikani Chester and Mbulu who eventually had his penalty appeals ignored after he thought he was fouled in the box.
Senegal coach Aliou Cisse also responded by withdrawing Dia for Pape Gueye who came close to scoring with a flying header which went over the bar.
Malawi thought they had won a penalty when Chirwa was floored just as he was inching into the box by Gueye but the referee, after VAR check, ruled there was no sufficient contact for penalty.
Marinica pulled out Chimwemwe Idana for Robin Ngalande while Madinga paved the way for Gerald Phiri Junior.
Eventual man-of-match Thom came to the rescue of Malawi again with a point blank save to deny Camara.
That proved to be Senegal’s real last chance of the game as Malawi held on for a point.
It was the fourth meeting between the two teams in all competitions with Senegal winning twice, losing once and the last ending in a draw.
Malawi are ranked on a distant 129th place on Fifa rankings compared to 20th position for Senegal who are also Africa’s top rated side.
Line-Ups:
Senegal: Eduardo Mendy,. Cisse (Toure), Mbaye, Mendy, Sarr, Dia (Pape Gueye), Kalidou Koulibaly, Balde, Cheikh Kouyate, Idrissa Gaye, Sadio Mane
Malawi: Charles Thom, Stanley Sanudi, Chembezi Dennis, Lawrence Chaziya, Gomezgani Chirwa, John Banda, Fransisco Madinga, Chimwemwe Idana, Micium Mhone, Gabadinho Mhango, Khuda Muyaba.