AFCON 2023: Senegal make winning start to title defence as Lamine Camara shines in win over Gambia | Football News

Senegal started their Africa Cup of Nations title defence with a 3-0 victory over 10-player Gambia helped by Lamine Camara’s double in Group C on Monday, bringing an finish to a sequence of shock outcomes on the event within the Ivory Coast.

After a shock-filled Sunday the place the minnows had the higher hand over heavyweight opponents, Senegal restored religion within the kind e book as Pape Gueye scored early and Camara added two extra to make sure victory within the opening Group C encounter.

Gueye put Senegal forward within the fourth minute on the Charles Konan Banny Stadium, whereas 20-year-old Camara, voted Younger African Participant of the Yr in 2023, underlined his promise with a superb end seven minutes after the break and a chic second into the highest nook 4 minutes from time.

Gambia had been decreased to 10 when Ebou Adams was despatched off for a unnecessary stamp on Camara in stoppage time on the finish of the primary half, leaving Gambia on the again foot for the second interval.

However they had been already up in opposition to it having conceded early as Gueye swept the ball dwelling after being teed up by Sadio Mane. Gambia captain Omar Colley’s poor clearance discovered Mane unmarked on the left and he laid the ball again for the oncoming Gueye to attain.

Adams caught Camara on his heel lengthy after the ball had gone and initially obtained a warning. However after a VAR verify it was modified to pink, leaving the Cardiff Metropolis defender banned for the following two matches.

Two passes from deep in defence led to Senegal doubling the rating with some simplicity, as captain Kalidou Koulibaly discovered Ismaila Sarr in midfield and he, in flip, threaded a defence-splitting cross for Camara to run onto and rating.

Iliman Ndiayes dribbling on the proper of the assault arrange the third purpose with Ndiaye cleverly working his means throughout the penalty field earlier than passing for Camara to attain.

Gambia, who reached the quarter-finals of the final Cup of Nations two years in the past in a shock efficiency, supplied little in assault save for an early shot from Musa Barrow that Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy punched away to security.

Cameroon held by 10-player Guinea as Man Utd’s Onana misses opener

Cameroon had been held to a irritating 1-1 draw by resolute 10-player Guinea of their Africa Cup of Nations opener in Yamoussoukro.

Cameroon – lacking injured captain Vincent Aboubakar – began with Fabrice Ondoa in purpose after dangerous climate prompted journey issues for his cousin Andre Onana. The Manchester United goalkeeper had taken a non-public jet to Abidjan in Ivory Coast after United’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham on Sunday afternoon.

From there the participant had reported difficulties getting one other flight to Yamoussoukro, forcing him to make the journey by highway as an alternative. He was not named within the match squad.

Cameroon head coach Rigobert Track defended his determination to not embody Onana within the squad, saying: “It is logical. He arrived at 4am. How would you like him to play? He is a part of the group.”

Mohamed Bayo had given Guinea, with out Stuttgart star striker Serhou Guirassy, a shock early lead earlier than captain Francois Kamano was despatched off in first-half stoppage time following a VAR overview for standing on Frank Magri’s foot.

Magri’s header levelled issues up six minutes into the second half, however Cameroon, who’re five-time African champions, couldn’t discover a winner previous the well-organised Guinea defence.

Mabululu earns Angola opening draw with Algeria

Algeria endured extra Africa Cup of Nations frustration as they had been held to a 1-1 draw by Angola of their opening match in Bouake.

Baghdad Bounedjah gave the Algerians the lead, however a second-half equaliser from Mabululu, who transformed the rebound after his penalty hit the bar, salvaged some extent for Angola within the Group D conflict.

Algeria need to keep away from an analogous destiny to 2022 after they entered as defending champions however crashed out within the group phases after failing to win a sport.