2017 AFRICA CUP - GROUP B - DAY 06 - SENEGAL VS ZIMBABWE 2:0
Africa Cup 2017
Group B
Day 06
12th match
Senegal vs Zimbabwe 2:0
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Goals Senegal
Mané (9')
Saivet (13’)
Key player
Liverpool midfielder Sadio Mane scored as Senegal beat Zimbabwe to become the first team to reach the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.
Mane tapped in the opener from close range in the ninth minute from Lazio forward Keita Balde Diao's low cross.
Henri Saivet, on loan at St Etienne from Newcastle, then struck home a brilliant 20 yard free-kick four minutes later.
Mane also had a lob cleared off the line by Costa Nhamoinesu.
Stoke's Mame Biram Diouf should have increased Senegal's advantage, but blazed his left-foot shot over the crossbar.
Khama Billiat wasted a good chance for Zimbabwe just before half-time when he fired tamely at Abdoulaye Diallo. The keeper also produced a good block to keep out Nyasha Mushekwi's drive.
The Lions of Teranga have a maximum six points from two games in Group B. Tunisia are second with three points and both Algeria and Zimbabwe have a point each.
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SQUAD
Senegal
01. Diallo
21. Gassama
02. Kara Mbodji
03. Koulibaly
04. M’Bengue
22. Kouyaté (Booked at 3’ min.)
05. Gueye
20. Balde Diao
10. Mané
09. Diouf
Substitutes
06. Diedhiou
07. Sow
11. Ndoye
12. Diamé
13. Konate
14. Toure
15. Diop
16. N’Diaye
17. Ndiaye
18. Sarr
19. Ciss
23. Ndiaye
…
Zimbabwe
16. Mukuruva
04. Zvirekwi
05. Muroiwa
02. Nhamoinesu
06. Bhasera
14. Katsande
18. Nakamba
07. Rusike
20. Billiat
10. Mahachi
09. Mushekwi
Substitutes
01. Donovan
03. Phiri
08. Rusike
11. Ndoro
12. Kangwa
13. Malajila
15. Hadebe
17. Musona
19. Mhlanga
21. Kadewere
22. Machapa
23. Mawaya
Referee:
Rédouane Jiyed
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MATCH PREVIEW
Senegal will book their place in the quarter-finals of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations if they beat Zimbabwe in their second Group B match.
They were the only team in the group to win their first match - 2:0 against Tunisia - and they have no injuries.
Zimbabwe will be without forward Knowledge Musona, who has not recovered from a hamstring problem he suffered in the 2-2 draw with Algeria.
The K.V. Oostende forward was substituted after only 12 minutes.
However, Zimbabwe are hopeful Musona will be fit to return for their final game against Tunisia on 23 January.
Senegal coach Aliou Cisse is convinced Senegal have what it takes to go deep into the tournament.
"Perhaps we were overconfident in previous campaigns and believed the media hype about being among the favourites," he said.
"I believe there is more humility within the squad now - a realisation that we are just one of many contenders to become African champions.
"We are good enough to go all the way and bring the trophy to Senegal for the first time, but many difficult matches lie ahead."
Zimbabwe will certainly not be pushovers, having come within eight minutes of puling off a shock victory over much-fancied Algeria.
Coach Callisto Pasuwa wants his side to take confidence from that result.
"I hope that by holding an Algerian team containing Riyad Mahrez and several other stars we can get rid of an inferiority complex we sometimes possess," he said.
The only previous Nations Cup game between the countries was won 2:0 by Senegal in Egypt 11 years ago thanks to second-half goals from Henri Camara and Issa Ba.
Senegal
Zimbabwe