AFCON AFCON 2023 Qualifier: Five Stars Senegal Trounce Mozambique

Senegal has moved within touching distance of qualifying for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) with a convincing 5-1 victory against Mozambique at Dakar’s Diamniadio Olympic Stadium on Friday night.

With goals from Youssouf Sabaly, Sadio Mane, Iliman Ndiaye, Boulaye Dia, and Habib Diallo, the Teranga Lions made it three wins in a row in Group L, and a win away to the Mambas (second on the log with four points compared to the leaders’ nine) will secure qualification for the Nations Cup finals in Ivory Coast next year.

Senegal got off to a fast start, taking the lead in the ninth minute. Boulaye Dia dummying Iliman Ndiaye’s square ball, allowing Youssouf Sabaly to smash home a drive from the edge of the penalty area for 1-0.

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Sadio Mane scored in the 15th minute to make it 2-0. Sabaly transitioned from scorer to provider, clipping in a tempting cross from the right that allowed Mane to slip between goalkeeper and defender before delivering just enough of a touch to guide the ball into the net.

The Teranga Lions effectively ended the game immediately after the half-hour mark, when Abdallah Ndour whipped in a cross from the left that was expertly finished off by Ndiaye, who flicked a shot past goalkeeper Gion Chande’s right hand.

Senegal’s constant approach was rewarded with a fourth goal on 39 minutes, when Dia scooped up a loose ball and fired off a shot from the edge of the box – his effort was well saved by Chande, but Dia followed up to swipe home the rebound ball and make it 4-0.

The Mambas grabbed a goal back three minutes into the second half, as Lourenco Vilanculos acrobatically headed home on the rebound after Alfred Gomis had saved an early shot on target from a free kick by Elias Pelembe.

This triggered a spell of domination for the visitors, who attempted to capitalize on their momentum by bringing on Luis Miquissone, Shaquille Nangy, and Domingos Macandza on the hour mark, while Senegal countered with Krepin Diatta, Pathe Ciss, and Habib Diallo.

The Teranga Lions regained control of the game and were generally satisfied to sit on their three-goal lead, controlling the game and effectively preventing the Mambas from mounting a comeback.

Senegal wasted many good chances provided by replacement Bamba Dieng, but he eventually turned provider and put in a cross from the right that Diallo headed home in the 89th minute to secure a 5-1 victory.

The clubs will face again in Group L on Tuesday, March 28 at Maputo’s Stadium do Zimpeto.


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