AFCON 2021: Late drama at Kouekong Stadium as Mane secure the three points for Senegal- match report
Senegal had to wait until the last minute to defeat a resilient Zimbabwe through Sadio Mane penalty goal.
The Teranga Lions entered this game without their first choice goal keeper Edouard Mendy, captain Kalidou Koulibaly, and 15 other players due to covid infection. However, the players on the field were phenomenon throughout the match, outplaying the Warriors.
Senegal had the higher possession, attacking the Zimbabweans on all sides. But their defense and midfield were up to the task. They were able to cage the Senegalese. Even Mane struggled to break the defense line.
The Warriors fought hard to keep the scoreline at 0-0, but a last minute hand ball by the Zimbabwean defender (Kelvin Madzongwe), on the 95th minute mark secure the win for the Teranga Lions.
Drama erupts in the stadium when the Zimbabwe players protested the penalty call, and confronted the referee to check the VAR.
However, the decision stands and Mane stepped forward to play the penalty. He fired his shot low to the bottom left corner and scored the only goal of the game after 98 minutes.
The referee blew the final whistle immediately after the game restarts. Senegal defeated Zimbabwe 1-0 in the first match of group B. In the other game in Group B, Guinea will take on Malawi.
Zimbabwe will want to bounce back from this disappointing loss against Malawi on Friday, January 14. Whereas, Senegal will seek to continue their winning form when they play Guinea on same date.
