Cameroon and Senegal face varied fortunes in AFCON Group C opening

By Muluh Alfred

The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon have settled for a 1-1 draw against 10-man Guinea as opposed to Senegal’s 3-0 bashing of Gambia in their first AFCON 2023 outings.

The National Elephants of Guinea capitalized on a poor clearance from Christopher Wooh and bad defending from Olivier Kemen to slot the ball past Fabrice Ondoa in the 10th minute.

The tide however turned in Cameroon’s favor when Guinea’s Captain François Kamano was sent off for a foul on Frank Magri, giving the lions a numerical advantage.

This advantage eventually led to an equalizer, scored in the 51st minute by Magri from a well-placed Nkoudou cross, ultimately securing the 1-1 draw at full-time.

Senegal on their part began their campaign on a high note, defeating 10-man Gambia 3-0 in their Group C opener at Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro.

The Teranga Lions started the game strong, mounting pressure on Gambia from the get-go and got a well-deserved lead just four minutes into the match.

After a defensive error from Gambia, Sadio Mane found an unmarked Pape Gueye 12 yards out who then scored an exquisite goal In the 4th minute.

Senegal doubled their lead through a simple yet effective move where Ismaila Sarr passed it through to Lamine Camara, who then scored from within the box.

Camara, who had already scored earlier in the match, netted his second goal in the 86th minute and sealed any hopes of a Gambia comeback.

With a win for Sénégal, The Terenga lions lead Group C with 3 points while Cameroon follow with a point.