Senegal went top of Group B of the 2022 Championship of African Nations (CHAN) following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Cote d’Ivoire at the 19 May 1956 Stadium in Annaba on Saturday.
A second-half strike Moussa Ndiaye, who came on as a substitute, ensured that the Teranga Lions walked away with maximum points in what was a tightly contested affair from the two African football giants.
Senegal wasted no time in putting Cote d’Ivoire under pressure from the opening whistle but found a resolute Ivorian defence that stood firm against the series of attacks.
The Teranga Lions could have taken the lead as early as the 5th minute after Elimane Cisse did well to thread through a delightful ball to Cheikh Diouf, who failed to get the ball under his control with just the keeper to beat.
Minutes later, Souleymane Coulibaly had to come to The Elephants’ rescue again after the troublesome Cisse sent an appetising cross that almost found its way to Diouf before the attack was thwarted by the lanky defender’s well-timed clearance.
Senegal continued to dominate their opponents, with Cote d’Ivoire seeing very little of the ball but couldn’t do much to hurt their opponents in the final third.
Moussa Kante had the best chance of the half in the 38th minute after Ousmane Kane’s cross found the striker unmarked for him to send a tame effort at goal, which was easily gathered by goalkeeper, Ayayi Folly.
The Senegalese keeper Pape Sy was eventually called into action towards the closing stages of the first half after a stinging shot from outside the danger area by Sankara Karamoko had to be fisted away, only for the ball to fall in the path of Abdramane Konate, who’s well-taken strike came off the upright to the relief of the Teranga Lions.
The Elephants came back a much-improved side in the second half, launching more attacks from the flanks and through the middle.
Their dominance was almost short-lived after conceding a penalty in the 70th minute from a handball by Aziz Abdoul who was relieved to see Ayayi Folly guessing the right direction to save Lamine Camara’s spot kick.
The deadlock was eventually broken in the 73rd minute after Camara’s well-taken free kick from the edge of the box rebounded off the woodwork to graciously land in the path of substitute, Moussa Ndiaye who comfortably slotted home in a goal that had to be reviewed by VAR.
The result meant Senegal top the group with three points ahead of DR Congo and Uganda who both have a point following their 0-0 stalemate earlier, while Cote d’Ivoire find themselves at the bottom of the group.
The #CIVSEN TotalEnergies Man of the Match is Lamine Camara! 🏅
A day he will remember for ages! 🤩#TotalEnergiesCHAN2022 | @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/RGueZFA0BF
— MARHABA (@CAF_Online) January 14, 2023
