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Africa Cup of Nations - Senegal v Cameroon recap: Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diallo and Sadio Mane on target for Teranga Lions

TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations / Group Stage
Stade Charles Konan Banny / 19.01.2024
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Darren Beattie

Updated 19/01/2024 at 19:07 GMT


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ON THE WHISTLE REPORT
Defending champions Senegal clinched their place in the knockouts of the Africa Cup of Nations with a game to spare with a 3-1 win over Cameroon, who are at risk of elimination.
Goals by Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diallo and Sadio Mane ensured Aliou Cisse’s side secured a straightforward victory – their second of the tournament having seen off Gambia 3-0 in their opener.
Jean-Charles Castelletto’s header gave Cameroon hope but they couldn’t find an equaliser, leaving the Indomitable Lions with just one point from two games in Group C.
There hadn’t been a goal in this fixture since 1992 but it took just 16 minutes for the first to arrive in Yamoussoukro. Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana failed to cover himself in glory as his punch failed to clear the danger and Sarr punished him with a deflected effort that nestled in the bottom corner.
Missing key strikers Vincent Aboubakar and Karl Toko Ekambi, the latter named on the bench, Cameroon lacked a focal point and tasked with breaking down a side that had only conceded once in their last eight group games, they struggled in their quest for a response.
Senegal doubled their advantage in the 71st-minute when Sarr’s excellent cross put it on a plate for Diallo who was left with a simple tap in.
Cameroon failed to register a shot on target until the 83rd-minute when defender Castelletto popped up with a header to give his side hope.
Former Tottenham midfielder Georges-Kevin N'Koudou almost snatched an unlikely equaliser for Cameroon but inexplicably headed wide from point-blank range, and in the next attack Mane’s precision finish made sure of the points.
The result means Senegal top the table with six points while Cameroon are third, ahead of Gambia who play Guinea later on Friday.
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Image credit: Getty Images

End of 2nd Half
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FULL TIME: SENEGAL 3-1 CAMEROON
Victory is enough for defending champions Senegal to clinch their place in the knockouts of the Africa Cup of Nations with a game to spare - but five-time winners Cameroon are now at real risk of elimination.
90'+5
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GOAL! SENEGAL 3-1 CAMEROON (SADIO MANE)
Mane seals the victory with a precision finish from Gueye's cut-back! Cameroon are immediately punished for their profligacy.
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HOW DID HE MISS?!
Castelletto delivers an inch-perfect cross and, from point-blank range, Cameroon's Nkoudou misses the target with a header, kicking the post in frustration!
They won't get a better chance to equalise.
90'
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SEVEN MINUTES ADDED ON!
For all of Senegal's dominance and superiority, they're going to suffer a nervy finish in Yamoussoukro.
86'
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ALMOST AN UNLIKELY EQUALISER!
N'Koudou is at full stretch at the far post as he attempts to make contact with a cross - but he just can't make contact! What a chance for Cameroon to grab an unlikely point!
83'
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GOAL! SENEGAL 2-1 CAMEROON (JEAN-CHARLES CASTELLETTO)
Hope for Cameroon! Castelletto heads home from substitute Ntcham's cross and suddenly it's game on again!
J. Castelletto
Goal
J. Castelletto
Cameroon
Cameroon
80'
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BLOW FOR SENEGAL
An injury concern as Diallo goes to ground and leaves the pitch on a stretcher.
77'
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CAMEROON SUBS
Olivier Ntcham takes the place of Neyou, while Faris Moumbagna was introduced a short while ago.
75'
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YELLOW CARD
A challenge of sheer frustration from Neyou as he deservedly goes into the book.
Y. Neyou
Yellow card
Y. Neyou
Cameroon
Cameroon
74'
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SENEGAL SUB
Senegal make a change in personnel as Idrissa Gueye is introduced from the bench.
I. Gueye
On
I. Gueye
Senegal
Senegal
P. Sarr
Off
P. Sarr
Senegal
Senegal
71'
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SENEGAL 2-0 CAMEROON (ABDOU DIALLO)
Diallo finally has his goal and Senegal now have one foot in the knockout stages - but what dreadful defending from Cameroon.
There is indecision in Cameroon's defence as the impressive Sarr reacts quickest to a loose ball on the right flank. He looks up and rolls a pass across the face of goal, leaving Diallo with a simple tap in.
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Goal
H. Diallo
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Senegal
68'
NERVY MOMENT FOR SENEGAL
Not the most convincing of goalkeeping from former Chelsea shot-stopper Mendy as he spills the ball. Thankfully, for him and Senegal, it doesn't prove costly.
66'
JEERS BEGIN
Cameroon's build-up is tidy as they switch the ball to the right flank where Ngamaleu is found in space. However, his cross is disappointing and floats over the head of everyone in the middle.
You can hear some jeers from the stands.
64'
STRUGGLES IN FRONT OF GOAL
Cameroon are yet to register a shot on target in the match as Karl Toko Ekambi remains on the bench.
62'
CHANCE GOES BEGGING!
Cameroon are behind in the game but it's Senegal asking most of the questions offensively.
Sarr's cross picks out Diallo but the striker is caught in two minds and uses his hand to control the ball, conceding a foul.
58'
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YELLOW CARD
Ngamaleu picks up a booking for pushing Diallo to the ground as they argued over a throw-in.
A. Diallo
Yellow card
A. Diallo
Senegal
Senegal
55'
EXCELLENT TACKLE!
Cameroon are again caught low on numbers at the back and they require a perfectly timed (and risky) tackle from Tolo on Jakobs to keep them in the game.
52'
SENEGAL COUNTER-ATTACK
Senegal have had little of the ball since the restart but when the opportunity arises, they pick the Cameroon defence apart. Camara's diagonal ball is perfect for Sarr at the back post, but the goalscorer opts for a side-footed first-time cross and it rolls through harmlessly to Onana.