New superstar Camara lights up AFCON

Senegal attacking midfielder Lamine Camara showed exactly why there is so much buzz around him with a two-goal, Man of the Match display in the 3-0 victory over Gambia at the Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday.

The 20-year-old Metz player has impressed in Ligue 1 this season and transferred that form to his side’s opener in the Ivory Coast with two excellent goals – the second of which is already a contender for Goal of the Tournament.

Just 18 months ago Camara was competing in the COSAFA Cup in South Africa for the west African guest nation.

He has already won Player of the Tournament at the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations last year, and was a star for Senegal at the African Nations Championship 12 months ago before his move to France, which earned him the 2023 CAF Young Player of the Year prize.

“I am happy with this recognition. This is the result of the hard work that we all did. Winning the first match remains a good thing,” Camara said.

“I am pleased after scoring a brace in the match, and I must remain focused now on the rest of the matches. I am pleased to participate in such a tournament with the first team and to be in the company of senior players such as Sadio Mane and others.

“These players are the ones who helped me stand out today.”

Indeed, Camara looks as though he could be a natural attacking successor in the side to 31-year-old Mane, providing coach Aliou Cisse with goals from midfield.

Senegal are next in action against Cameroon on Friday.