The Terranga Lions of Senegal shockingly crushed the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon 3-1 to join Cape Verde as the two first nations to reach the African Cup of Nations in round 16 soccer fiesta played in Ivory Coast.
Former Manchester United player Tiago Dias Correia, Mendes da Graça and Gonçalves Pereira de Pina were all on the scoresheet as Cape Verde recorded two straight wins to reach the Cup of Nations last sixteen from Group B.
Bebe’s long-range striker in the 32nd-minute beat Mozambique keeper Ernan Siluane as Cape Verde became the first team to book their last-16 place at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny.
The Blue Sharks face the North Africans in Egypt in their final group match on Monday. A win for Egypt against Cape Verde would mean a direct qualification as group B runner-ups, with a draw even enough in the case of Ghana and Mozambique drawing as well.
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In the day’s other game, Senegal defeated Cameroon 3-1 with a 16-minute opener from Ismaïla Sarr and a second-half tap from Habib Diallo, sending the holders to the round of sixteen with a game to spare at the Charles Konan Banny de Yamoussoukro.
Cameroon rallied a goal back to make the 2-1 through J. Castelletto, but a late strike for experienced Sadia Mane completed the Lions of Teranga 95th-minute stoppage time.
Guinea, who draw with Cameroon in the Group C opener, will take on the Gambia in the late evening kickoff on Friday.
Senegal’s final game is against Guinea Syli National on Tuesday.
