Mane rescues Senegal in draw with DR Congo, as Benin find first AFCON win

Senegal, the 2022 champions of Africa, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), who had a 1-1 draw with Sadio Mane, in their heavyweight Africa Cup of Nations clash on Saturday.

With only one game left to play, Senegal will continue to lead Group D thanks to Cedric Bakambu’s opening score of just after the hour mark in Tangier.

Senegal and Benin both have four points, but both teams had a better goal differential before Tuesday’s final group game.

After falling to Botswana 1-0 earlier on Saturday in Rabat, Benin now has three points.

After suffering a devastating defeat at the previous meeting of the nations, World Cup qualifying in September, Sebastien Desabre’s Congolese side sought retribution.

Senegal won the matchup 3-2 in Kinshasa, going on to win the match and leading their group to advance to the next year’s North American finals.

In order to avoid being forced to accept second place, the DRC must still qualify for the World Cup if they advance to a one-off playoff in Mexico in March against Jamaica or New Caledonia.

Senegal had more possession and chances on the day thanks to Botswana’s 3-0 victory, which is seen as perhaps the biggest threat to Morocco’s chances of capturing the title on its own soil.

Theo Bongonda, the Leopards’ top scorer, was parried by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy in the 61st minute when Real Betis striker Bakambu pounced to convert the loose ball.

Senegal, however, were only eight minutes into the game when Ibrahim Mbaye, a young substitute, made a superb run.

The 17-year-old Paris Saint-Germain winger Mbaye, who was born in France and has represented them until the Under-20s, recently committed to Senegal, for whom he has a parent who qualifies.

Just after Bakambu’s opener, he made the leveller from a perplexing run down the right. He took the place of Ismaila Sarr.

Mbaye slammed into Arthur Masuaku, who appeared to be hurting himself before being blocked by Lionel Mpasi, but Mane was on hand to score.

Former Liverpool legend Mane, who is playing in his sixth tournament, scored 10 goals in the AFCON.

Benin’s first AFCON victory in their history

With a 1-0 Group D victory over Botswana on Saturday, Yohan Roche scored a deflected winner to earn Benin its first-ever place in the Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Benin improves to three points from their opening two games, moving to level with Senegal and the DRC, who will face off in Tangier on Saturday for their second pool match.

When Roche and captain Steve Mounie played a one-two in the box in the 28th minute, Roche’s shot from 9 meters (10 yards) took a deflection off a defender and into the net.

Despite having been quarterfinalists in 2019, Benin finally won the continental finals on their 16th attempt. Additionally, they have lost ten games and five draws.

Botswana struggled to move forward, but Mothusi Johnson curled a free-kick that hit the crossbar and beat the goalkeeper without the frame.

Benin had a number of chances to increase their lead, but Tamimou Ouorou was denied by Botswana goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko’s excellent low stop.

At the conclusion of the game, Dodo Dokou created a superb shooting chance 11 meters (12 yards) from the end of the match before going over the bar with the goal gaping.

After three defeats on the road in 2012 and an opening 3-0 defeat to Senegal this year, Botswana are now the second team to lose their first five Cup of Nations matches, behind Benin.

On Tuesday, they play their final pool game against DRC, and Benin will also face Senegal.

Source: Aljazeera