Africa Cup of Nations

AFCON Day 7 Review: Blue Sharks continue fairytale start to AFCON 2023, as Senegal, Guinea go top of Group C

January 20, 2024, 10:49 AM

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(Made In Africa Sport) – The Blue Sharks of Cape Verde recorded yet another victory on Friday 19 January, 2024, as they cruised to a 3 – 0 victory over Mozambique in what was a forgettable experience for the Mambas. With veterans like Egypt and Ghana in the group, Cape Verde wasn’t tipped for much success in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023, yet they seem to be quite set on the road to the finals in Cote d’Ivoire already.

Portuguese-born forward Bebe began the scoring in the first half, rifling a free-kick from over 40 yards to beat Ernan in goal in the 32nd minute, after a similar effort had struck the crossbar ten minutes earlier. The Mambas tried for a response five minutes later, but the Cape Verdean goalie saved comfortably from Witiness Quembo’s close range shot. Barely moments after, Geny Catamo went down in the box after a collision with Jovane Cabral and Joao Paolo, but the referee disregarded the penalty appeal after checking in with VAR.

The second half began with Cape Verde on the press again, and they were rewarded for their tenacity in the 51st minute as Ryan Mendes nicked the ball off Edmilson Rowe before expertly slotting his finish beyond Ernan to double the Blue Sharks’ lead. It was an instance of lack of awareness from the centre-back and he was ruthlessly punished by the winger.

Goal number three for the Cape Verdeans would be an AFCON 2023 goal of the tournament contender, matching Bebe’s freekick for pace and power, as midfielder Kevin Pina tried his luck from about 40 yards to seal an emphatic victory for the Blue Sharks. The Mambas sported a subdued figure, especially after the second goal, as their brightest chance for a consolation was Geny Catamo’s freekick that clipped the crossbar in the 58th minute.

It was a clash of the Lions later in the day, as the defending champions Senegal asserted dominance over the Indomitable Lions in a delightful 3 – 1 win at the Charles Konan Banny stadium. The Teranga Lions wasted no time in getting things started, as they capitalised on a poor clearance from a corner to take the lead in the 15th minute. Pape Sarr kept the pressure alive after the corner had been cleared and Ismaila Sarr struck home on his right foot.

The Teranga Lions looked to get a second goal in, but the Cameroonian defence denied Sarr again in the 38th minute. The winger was not to be stopped later in the 70th minute, however, as he played in a low cross for Habib Diallo to slot in comfortably from less than six yards. The Indomitable Lions retaliated, however belatedly, as Jean-Charles Castelletto pulled one back in the 83rd minute from an Oliver Ntcham cross to reduce the deficit. Georges-Kevin Nkoudou struck the outside of the left post in stoppage time as Cameroon hunted for a leveller, but it was Sadio Mane who sealed the game with a cool angled finish into the bottom left corner after collecting an offload from Idrissa Gueye.

Guinea took maximum points from their Group C fixture against the upstart Scorions, as Tom Saintfiet’s men couldn’t seem to keep up with their opponent’s intensity. Aguibou Camara missed out on a sitter in the 29th minute, but the linesman spared him the embarrassment with the offside call. Mohammed Bayo also struck the upright with a well-picked shot before seeing his header saved shortly before half-time.

The National Elephants struck gold in the 69th minute, as Aguibou Camara connected with Morgan Guilavougui’s low cross to put Guinea ahead. The winger set Mohammed Bayo in a similar position four minutes later, but the striker seemed to have been hit by the woodwork curse as his chipped shot came back off the crossbar.

It was an action-packed final 20 minutes, as the Scorpions thought they had sealed a point in the 79th minute but Yakuba Minteh’s left flank drive was deemed offside. Lamin Jallow came close to equalising but he couldn’t direct his shot on target and Baboucarr Gaye prevented Jose Kante from slotting in a second goal for Guinea in stoppage time.

Here’s how things stand in Group B after MD 2. 👇#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/cqR1FVAKt7

— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 19, 2024

The AFCON 2023 group stage fixtures are getting more decisive by the day, and some teams are feeling the pressure already. Cape Verde top Group B against all odds and West African duo Senegal and Guinea dominate Group C, as we look forward to what other groups have in store in the coming days.