Sadio Mane’s Late Penalty Broke The Warriors At Depth

By Ngome Michael

The Warriors of Zimbabwe have made 2021 AFCON top favorites, Senegal look ordinary despite 1-0 defeat in Bafoussam.

Starting without team captain, Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy who tested positive for Covid-19, the West Africans found it hard to crackdown Zimbabwe in normal play time.

Star man Sadio Mané had to wait until the fourth minute of stoppage to covert from the spot following a foul by Kelvin Madzongwe on Pape Gueye.

Sénégal looked sharp c in the early hours of the game but failed to materialize much available chances.

Gana Gueye and Sadio Mané squandered opportunities to set the Lions ahead in the first half but the midfieder and striker were not clinical enough.

Knowledge Musona’s came close with a fine strike that whitsle past the post. Zimbabwe still hoping for first ever knockout stage ticket seemed contented had the game end in a stalemate.

Senegal’s misfortunes continued upon resumption with Pape Cisee watch a powerful set-piece pass him at the Zimbabwean goal.

Intimately, Africa’s number one, Senegal failed to impress against a well structured Zimbabwe that look less concerned with office talks of a possible ban from FIFA.