Senegal secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Mozambique in their latest African Cup of Nations qualifying match, thanks to a goal from Boulaye Dia set up by Liverpool star Sadio Mane.
The game was played in Maputo, Mozambique and it was the hosts who started on the front foot. The Mozambican team pressed early on, trying to create chances in the attacking areas of the pitch. Despite Mozambique’s early dominance, it was Senegal who broke the deadlock in the 28th minute when Boulaye Dia slotted home a well-placed shot into the back of the net. Sadio Mane provided the assist for the goal, showing his class once again as one of the premier players in world football. Mozambique continued to push for an equalizer, and the Senegalese defense was put under immense pressure in the second half. However, the visitors defended resolutely and held onto their lead to secure a much-needed victory. The result moved Senegal to the top of Group F in the African Cup of Nations qualifying table. They sit two points clear of Congo-Brazzaville with two games left to play in the group stage. Senegal’s manager, Aliou Cisse, spoke to the media after the game, expressing his satisfaction with the result but acknowledging that his team had to work hard to secure the three points. “It was a tough match,” said Cisse. “Mozambique is a good team, and they made it difficult for us. But we stayed disciplined and focused, and we were able to get the goal we needed. The most important thing is that we got the three points.” Cisse went on to praise the efforts of Sadio Mane, who he believes was instrumental in securing the victory. “Everybody knows how important Sadio Mane is to our team,” said Cisse. “He’s one of the best players in the world, and he’s always a threat on the pitch. His pass for Boulaye Dia’s goal was a thing of beauty, and it just shows how much of a quality player he is.” The win over Mozambique puts Senegal in a strong position to qualify for the African Cup of Nations tournament, which is set to take place in Cameroon in January 2024. The tournament is the premier football competition on the African continent, featuring the best teams from across the region. Senegal will face Congo-Brazzaville in their next qualifier, which will take place on June 12. The Congolese team is currently in second place in the group and will be looking to close the gap on the leaders with a win in that match. In other African Cup of Nations qualifying matches played on the same day, Libya secured a surprise 2-1 win over Nigeria in Group D. Meanwhile, Cameroon and Ghana played out a goalless draw in their Group C encounter. With just a few games remaining in the qualifying stage, many of the top teams on the continent will be hoping to secure their place in the tournament. The African Cup of Nations is always an exciting spectacle, featuring some of the best players and most passionate supporters in world football. As the qualifying campaign enters its final stages, it’s sure to provide plenty of drama and excitement for football fans across Africa and beyond.
