Senegal battle past Togo in Thies

Senegal got their CAF second round 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign off to a positive start, beating Togo 2-0 at Stade Lat-Dior in Thies on Wednesday.

The Lions of Teranga are overwhelming favourites to progress onto the third round of qualifying from a group which also includes Congo and Namibia, but had to show a lot of patience against a determined Sparrowhawks outfit. 

Senegal huffed and puffed in the first half, but Togo's defence held firm to go into the half-time break on level pegging. 

That changed in the 56th minute as Sadio Mane finally broke the deadlock. Boulaye Dia burst into the box before teeing up the Liverpool star who prodded home the opener from close range. 

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Sadio Mane's goal for the Terenga Lions of Senegal

????Senegal 1?-0?Togo????#WCQ2022 #WorldCupQualifiers pic.twitter.com/GEibyWaoMM

— Yaw Ampofo Jr (@Yaw_Ampofo_) September 1, 2021

The hosts put the game to bed through Abdou Diallo, who capped a superb performance with a goal, in the 81st minute of the match.

The ball fell favourably for the centre-back from a corner-kick and he made no mistake with a crisp left-footed finish that whistled into the back of the net. 

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Abdou Diallo slots home beautifully the second for the Terenga Lions Senegal

????Senegal 2?-0?Togo????#WCQ2022 #WorldCupQualifiers pic.twitter.com/SKp8YJErRX

— Yaw Ampofo Jr (@Yaw_Ampofo_) September 1, 2021

Next up for Senegal in Group H is a trip to Brazzaville where they will take on Congo this coming Tuesday while Togo will host Namibia in Lome on Sunday. 

Senegal (0) 2 (Mane 56' A. Diallo 81') 
Togo (0) 0 

SENEGAL: Mendy; Ciss, Koulibaly, A. Diallo, Kouyate (Lopy 72'), Gueye, P.Sarr (H. Diallo 73'), Mane, I. Sarr (Ballo Toure 87'), Dia (Sima 82'), Mbaye (Balde 73'). 

TOGO: Barcola; Dakonam, Agbozo, Olufade, Tchoutchoui, Nadjombe (Fessou 64'), Eninful, Henen (Denkey 80'), Aholou (Nya-Vedji 57'), Sunu (Tchakei 57'), Laba.