LIBREVILLE - Senegal reached the African Nations Cup quarterfinals for the first time in more than a decade after a 2-0 win over Zimbabwe Thursday ensured the continent’s highest-ranked team would finish top of Group B.
Algeria, which was also among the pre-tournament favorite, is on the verge of an early exit, after it was beaten 2-1 by Tunisia in the group’s other game.
The Algerians need to beat Senegal in their final match Monday and hope that Tunisia, which meets Zimbabwe, does not secure the point it needs to go through as group runner-up.
Senegal had been among the fancied teams in its last three appearances at the tournament, but flopped on each occasion. It last got past the first round in 2006, when it went on to finish fourth.
“The goal today was to qualify, now it’s done,” said coach Aliou Cisse after early goals settled the game.
“In the first game, even when we played badly, we got to win. Today, we played well and won, and we qualified. I’m very proud of the guys, we have to keep going like that.”
Sadio Mane took only nine minutes to open the scoring with a simple back post tap-in and Senegal doubled the lead with a sumptuous curling free kick from Henri Saivet four minutes later as Zimbabwe was overwhelmed.
Horror defending cost Algeria against Tunisia as captain Aissa Mandi netted an own goal and defender Faouzi Ghoulam conceded a penalty.
The ball sliced off the foot of Mandi after 50 minutes before Ghoulam tugged back Wahbi Khazri 14 minutes later and Naim Sliti converted from the spot.
“We started very well. But we know that in a game of this level, you should not give away gifts,” said Algeria coach George Leekens.
Sofiane Hanni pulled one back in stoppage time, but Algeria’s fate had already been sealed. - Reuters
