Senegal qualified, Cape Verde in demonstration, Guinea ensures… What to remember from Friday’s matches

After its victory against Mozambique (3-0), Cape Verde is already assured of finishing first in its group. Senegal, winner of Cameroon (3-1), will also be there in the round of 16. In the same group, Guinea took the advantage over Gambia (1-0).

The second day of the group stage of the African Cup of Nations continues and the first qualifiers for the round of 16 are revealed. The day after the draw between Egypt and Ghana, marked by the exit of Mohamed Salah, Cape Verde validated its qualification, Friday January 19, for the round of 16 thanks to its large victory against Mozambique (3- 0). Just like Senegal, winner of Cameroon (3-1). After its victory over Gambia (1-0), Guinea slips into second position in Group C.

Cape Verde locks in first place

Thanks to their narrow victory against Ghana on the first day (2-1), the Blue Sharks began this second day at the top of group B. Better, the draw between Egypt and Ghana (1-1 ), Thursday, offered them the opportunity to secure first place. Against Mozambique, Cape Verde confirmed without trembling. From the half-hour mark, Bébé, the Rayo Vallecano striker, opened the scoring with a floating direct free kick, more than 35 meters from the opposing goalkeeper’s cage.

Ryan Mendes and Kevin Pina, with a nice cross strike, then worsened the score (3-0), allowing Cape Verde to be the first team qualified for the eighth. With four points ahead of her Egyptian runner-up, she is already assured of finishing first in her group. For its third qualification for the final stages of the competition, the team will try to beat its record: a quarter-final lost against Ghana in 2013.

Tricky end to the match, but Senegal continues on its way

The reigning champions continue their flawless performance. Already at the top of this group C after their victory against Gambia (3-0) on the first day, they consolidated their lead and validated their qualification. Against Cameroon (3-1), in the shock of this group, Senegal opened the scoring in the 16th minute through Marseillais Ismaïla Sarr, with his right foot. Habib Diallo gave the break in the 71st minute.

If Cameroon showed little danger for a large part of the match, a headed goal from Jean-Charles Castelleto (83rd), as well as seven minutes of added time, provided an electric end to the game. Despite several alerts on Edouard Mendy’s cage (86th, 94th), it was Sadio Mané, scorer in the 95th minute, who came to extinguish the hopes of the Indomitable Lions. At the same time becoming the first player from his country to score in four different CANs. With six points, Senegal, defending champion, is qualified for the round of 16.

Guinea takes a lead

While Group C already has its first qualifier, the second match in the group pitted Guinea and Gambia, who respectively had one – the first day’s draw against Cameroon – and zero points on the clock. The opportunity to gain a certain advantage before facing a Senegal already qualified for the first, and a Cameroon in search of points for the second.

If Kaba Diawara’s men were dangerous from the half-hour mark, it was not until the 70th minute that they opened the scoring with a goal from Aguibou Camara, served by Morgan Guilavogui on the right side. This goal allows Guinea to obtain its first victory in the competition and, above all, to finish the day as second in its group.