Lions of Teranga tamed ‘toothless’ lion of Cameroon in AFCON Clash

In a thrilling encounter at Stade Charles Konan Banny de Yamoussoukro, the Lions of Teranga, led by standout performances from Ismaila Sarr and Sadio Mane, triumphed over the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon with a convincing 3-1 victory, securing their spot in the round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations.

With two consecutive wins, Senegal now leads Group C with an impressive six points, while Cameroon finds themselves in third place with only one point after two games.

The match kicked off with both teams displaying intensity, winning corners in the opening 10 minutes. Senegal, however, asserted dominance in ball possession and created more significant scoring opportunities early on.

Ismaila Sarr made a crucial breakthrough in the 15th minute, capitalizing on a failed clearance after a corner situation. His powerful shot, which took a deflection, found the back of the net, leaving Cameroon’s goalkeeper Andre Onana helpless.

As the first half progressed, Senegal continued to control the game, putting pressure on Cameroon’s defense and looking dangerous on the counter. Despite attempts by the Indomitable Lions to equalize, Senegal maintained their lead.

The Lions of Teranga intensified their efforts after halftime, keeping Cameroon on the defensive. In the 70th minute, Habib Diallo extended Senegal’s lead, tapping home a teasing ball from Ismaila Sarr.

Cameroon staged a late comeback in the 83rd minute, with Jean-Charles Castelletto’s powerful header from a well-worked corner beating goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, setting the stage for a tense finale.

Sadio Mane sealed Senegal’s victory in the 95th minute, showcasing his class with a well-timed finish after receiving a squared ball from Idrissa Gueye.

With this triumph, Aliou Cisse’s side secures a spot in the round of 16 and sets their sights on the upcoming clash against Guinea on Tuesday, January 23. Meanwhile, Cameroon will face Gambia on the same day, seeking a redemption opportunity in the tournament.