The Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) defending champions Senegal made a big statement in their emphatic 3-0 win against Gambia in Yamoussoukro on Monday afternoon.
The Teranga Lions made a flying start as they went a goal ahead in the fourth minute as Papa Gueye pulled off a stellar finish in the opening salvo of the game.
From there on it was a back and forth affair between the two teams as they battled for possession in midfield
Gambia tried to break down Senegal’s defence but could not do so as their opponents kept things extremely tight at the back.
Ebou Adams of Gambia was sent off in stoppage time of the first half after a strong foul on the opposition. By the end of the half, Senegal went into the break a goal ahead.
The Teranga Lions kept up the momentum from the first half and by the 52nd minute doubled their lead through young prodigy Lamine Camara who popped up and scored from Ismaïla Sarr’s cross.
That's how much it meant for Lamine Camara to score his first #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 goal. 🫶🇸🇳#SENGMB pic.twitter.com/xmQ0PcBL4N
— Total Energies AFCON (@TotalAFCON2023) January 15, 2024
Senegal continued to dominate the match, especially with an advantage of their opponents being down to ten men.
A curling effort into the top corner by Camara in the 86th minute sealed the deal for the Lions as they won the match 3-0.
A strong defensive and attacking display from the Teranga Lions ensured that they started off their defence of the Afcon title in style.
𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 ✅
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) January 15, 2024
The #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 defending champions get off the mark with a resounding victory over Gambia in Yamoussoukro 🎯 pic.twitter.com/YGD067ppqK
Senegal: (3) 2 Camara 52’ 86’) 1 (Gueye 4’)
Gambia: (0) 0
SENEGAL: É. Mendy, K. Diatta, K. Koulibaly, M. Niakhaté, I. Jakobs, L. Camara, Pathé Ciss (A. Diallo 58’), P. Gueye (I. Ndiaye 79’), I. Sarr (N. Mendy 79’), N. Jackson (H. Diallo 58’), S. Mané
GAMBIA: B. Gaye, O. Colley, E. Adams, M. Barrow, J. Gomez, I. Touray (A. Fadera 75’), A. Manneh (Barry 66)’ , S. Janko, Y. Minteh, E. Darboe, A. Sowe (M. Badamosi 66’)