Aliou Cisse’s facet confirmed sufficient high quality within the Ivorian warmth to recommend they may win back-to-back AFCON titles.
Lamine Camara scored twice as Senegal kicked off their Africa Cup of Nations title defence with a 3-0 victory over 10-man Gambia in Yamoussoukro on Monday.
Aliou Cisse’s facet confirmed sufficient high quality within the Ivorian warmth to recommend they may turn into the primary group to win back-to-back AFCON titles since Egypt reeled off three in a row in 2006, 2008 and 2010.
Senegal’s XI featured simply 5 of the beginning group which beat Egypt on penalties within the last two years in the past and it was teenager Camara who stole the present.
Gambia already face an uphill job to succeed in the knockout stage two years after a shock run to the quarter-finals on debut.
The holders wasted little time in piling the stress on their West African neighbours and took the lead within the fourth minute.
Sadio Mane was left in loads of area on the again put up and his lay-off was swept house left-footed by the unmarked Pape Gueye from inside the realm.
Gambia endured a troubled build-up to the event, boycotting a coaching session over an unpaid qualification bonus earlier than their flight to the Ivory Coast was compelled to show round simply 9 minutes after take-off as a result of technical issues.
But they grew into the sport after the early setback, going near an equaliser when Musa Barrow curled a free-kick into the side-netting.
Gambia have been dealt a blow shortly earlier than half-time although when Cardiff City midfielder Ebou Adams was dismissed for a studs-up problem.
The underdogs continued to threaten after the restart nevertheless, as Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was compelled to dive to his proper to palm away Barrow’s long-range drive, with Ali Sowe slicing the rebound huge.
Senegal successfully killed off the sport simply moments later, although, as a slick passing transfer ended with 20-year-old Camara amassing Ismailia Sarr’s cross and drilling a low shot into the far nook.
Cracking strike
The Lions of Teranga rounded off the scoring with an early contender for purpose of the event within the 86th minute.
Clever trickery from Iliman Ndiaye took him away from two defenders and his cross was expertly bent into the highest nook from the sting of the ‘D’ by Metz midfielder Camara.
Mohamed Badamosi got here near grabbing an injury-time comfort for the Gambians when he headed huge, however they have been in the end outclassed and can now flip their attentions to their second sport in opposition to Guinea on Friday.
Senegal will seemingly face a more durable project once they face five-time winners Cameroon.
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