AFCON 2023: Holders, Senegal defeat Cameroon to book R16 slot

Senegal put up a strong inquest en route to a possible retain of their title with a 3-1 win over Cameroon, that takes them to the knockout rounds.

Senegal and Cameroon clashed in one of the most anticipated showdowns since the draw for AFCON 2023. Two of Africa’s heavyweight squads faced off in a match where the “Lions of Teranga” emerged victorious.

In a Group C face-off, the current AFCON champions outplayed Rigobert Song’s side, who had the unfortunate luck of conceding the first goal in the 16th minute after a blunder by André Onana, resulting in an effective finish by Ismaila Sarr.

In the last 20 minutes of the game, Habib Diallo extended Senegal’s lead with an assist from Sarr. Despite this, Cameroon didn’t throw in the towel and pulled one back in the 83rd minute with a header from Jean Charles Castelletto.

In the added time, former Liverpool star Sadio Mané scored and also notched his 40th goal for the national team, sealing the 3-1 victory and securing Senegal’s spot in the Round of 16 of AFCON 2023.

On the flip side, Cameroon finds themselves in a tight spot and will be keeping a close eye on the match between Guinea and Gambia to determine their chances of making it to the next round of the African Cup of Nations.