By Tendai Chisiri
Senegalese Liverpool striker Sadio Mane ‘s 97th minute penalty sealed victory against Zimbabwe in a group B match on Monday at Bafoussam Omnisport Stadium in Cameroon.
With 30 seconds left in the additional time, a Zimbabwe defender Kelvin Madzongwe handled inside the eighteen area and a penalty was awarded to Senegal who buried the Warriors.
The intriguing match pitted the tournament favorites Senegal against Zimbabwe who hasn’t yet proceeded from the group stages of the tournament. The Warriors have failed to progress beyond the group stage in each of their four previous Afcon showings. In fact, they have finished bottom of their group in each tournament.t.
Senegal had a high ball possession in both halves but found the Zimbabwe defense solid as rock. Petros Mhari, the Warriors goalkeeper had a good day in office as he frantically saved shots from the Senegal strike force.
Mhari had a great save in the 75th minute when Mane was alone at the right wing and sliced the ball between the posts and he collected it.
In the additional time , Senegalese strikers piled pressure front and the Zimbabwe defense thwarted the efforts to portray players with strong back.
It was Mane’s 27th goal his country. The Lions of Teranga with the Warrior are in the same group with Malawi and Guinea who ended 1-0 in favor of Guinea.
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