Liverpool star Sadio Mane converted a penalty deep in added time to snatch a fortunate 1-0 win for Senegal over Zimbabwe in the Africa Cup of Nations Group B opener on Monday in Bafoussam.

Disaster struck the gallant underdogs when a shot hit the right arm of Kelvin Madzongwe and Mane sent goalkeeper Petros Mhari the wrong way with the resulting penalty on 97 minutes to settle a lacklustre affair.

While Senegal, one of the favourites to win a competition delayed twice by Covid-19, dominated possession, they rarely threatened to break down a well-organised Zimbabwe defence.

Group B continues later on Monday when Guinea will be slight favourites to overcome Malawi and join Senegal at the top of the table.

Senegal lacked Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, who are recovering in Cameroon after testing positive for the coronavirus.

Zimbabwe travelled to central Africa without a couple of their top players, Marvelous Nakamba from Aston Villa and fellow midfielder Marshall Munetsi from French Ligue 1 outfit Reims, due to injuries.

With reigning African Footballer of the Year Mane and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Idrissa Gueye in the starting line-up, Senegal were expected to secure maximum points without undue difficulty.

The opening 20 minutes were controlled by the Teranga Lions, who camped in the Zimbabwe half and passed the ball casually while their opponents did a lot of chasing at a sparsely populated Stade de Kouekong.

Senegal issued a declaration of their intentions within 45 seconds of the kick-off in 30 degrees celsius (86 fahrenheit) heat when Bouna Sarr fired narrowly wide from just outside the box.

Sarr from German and European giants Bayern Munich went even closer midway through the opening half with a shot across the goal that was just off target.

After a quiet start, Mane burst between two defenders on 24 minutes only to see his low shot, aimed at the far corner of the net, blocked by goalkeeper Petros Mhari.

As the half progressed Zimbabwe began to move into Senegalese territory and should have done better from a free-kick inside the D with 30 minutes gone.

Captain Knowledge Musona took the set-piece and should have at least found the target instead of watching his tame attempt go harmlessly wide.

As half-time approached in the western highlands of Cameroon, Mane turned provider, setting up unmarked Gueye, who was let down by his first touch as he was poised to shoot at goal.

A goalless opening half ended with Senegal back on the attack and Fode Ballo Toure firing into the side netting.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first as Senegal dominated possession without seriously threatening to take the lead.

Mhari rescued Zimbabwe 16 minutes from time when he dived to cut off a cross destined for Mane at the far post.

Senegal survived a scare as full-time loomed with a Zimbabwe free-kick creating a half-chance before the ball was grasped by goalkeeper Seny Dieng.

Credit AFP – African Football News – Follow us on Twitter @football_sierra On Facebook & Instagram: Football Sierra Leone.

For the first time in the history of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, all 52 matches of the competition will use Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in Cameroon starting this weekend.

The competition will kick off on Sunday, 09 January 2022 with hosts Cameroon playing Burkina Faso at 17h00 local time (16h00 GMT) at Olembe Stadium in Yaounde, Cameroon. The final match will be played on 06 February 2022 at the same venue.

Previously, CAF has used VAR starting from the quarterfinals of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt 2019. However, with CAF advancing with plans not only to improve the image of refereeing but also produce world-class match officials in Africa, the implementation of VAR in all 52 matches in Cameroon is a step in the right direction.

A list of 63 top match officials, including women, top referees Salima Mukasanga (Rwanda), Carine Atemzabong (Cameroon), Fatiha Jermoumi (Morocco) and Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco) will officiate the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon 2021 matches.

The list consists of 24 referees, 31 assistant referees and eight video assistant referees from 36 countries. The roster includes two referees from the CONCACAF as part of our inter-confederation skills exchange program

CAF | Communication Department – African Football News – Follow us on Twitter @football_sierra On Facebook & Instagram: Football Sierra Leone.

Together to lift the Trophy with Energy’

With excitement mounting as Africa’s finest stars prepare to gather for the TotalEnergies African Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021, the Confederation of African Football and the Local Organising Committee has unveiled the vibrant tournament poster in Cameroon today.

Symbolising football’s energy and passion – and its ability to unite across all colours and creeds on the African continent – the poster also pays homage to the colourful traditions of the host nation, Cameroon.

For TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021, CAF is continuing the tradition of creating a poster that represents the tournament and shares with the world Africa’s powerful message that our differences enrich us, our energy is the same and more than ever, football unites us.

The poster is an illustration of the iconic trophy being lifted by hands of different colours and races, reflecting the true positive spirit of football and underlining the message of unity and equality.

The host country, Cameroon, is illustrated both directly and symbolically, firstly by continuing the CAF AFCON tradition of placing a star on the country’s location on the map to show the host country.

Africa is a land of energy and since football is and remains a source of energy and passion, we will all come together in Cameroon to celebrate the enriching diversity of our continent.

Finally, we are left with the symbolism of the ‘Toghu’, a traditional Cameroonian cloth, worn by chiefs and notables, both men and women, often made of black velvet on which are hand-embroidered patterns and decorations with thread of various colours.

Credit CAF Communications. African Football News – Follow us on Twitter @football_sierra On Facebook & Instagram: Football Sierra Leone.

In their final warm-up friendly ahead of the upcoming 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, Algeria and Ghana go head to head at Qatar’s Education City Stadium in Doha Qatar on Wednesday.

The Greens head into the continental tournament as the reigning champions after seeing off Senegal 1-0 in 2019 final and will be looking to pick up their third title.

Seeking to become just the fourth nation to pick up successive Africa Cup of Nations titles, Algeria head into Cameroon, where the highly-anticipated continental tournament is scheduled to take place from January 9 through to February 6.

The North Africans, who first tasted glory in 1990, picked up their second AFCON title in 2019, where they cruised through the group stages, scoring six goals and conceding none, before seeing off Ivory Coast and Nigeria to set up a final showdown with Senegal, whom they narrowly defeated 1-0.

Djamel Belmadi‘s men also head into Cameroon as the reigning Arab Cup champions after securing a 2-0 win over fellow North African Tunisia in the finals courtesy of extra-time goals from Amir Saayoud and Yacine Brahimi at the Al Bayt Stadium on December 18.

Meanwhile, Ghana are pitted in Group C, where they kick off their campaign with a mouth-watering clash against Morocco on January 10 before squaring off against Gabon and Comoros, who are making their first-ever appearance at the tournament.

The Black Stars, who are one of the most successful sides in Africa, winning the Africa Cup of Nations title on four different occasions, head into this year’s edition aiming to end a 40-year title wait, dating back to their 1982 triumph, where they saw off host nation Libya on penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal time.

Since then, Ghana have made it to three different finals, losing on each occasion — twice on penalties — with the most recent coming back in 2015 when they were beaten on penalties following an uneventful 0-0 draw after 120 minutes.

Aiming to end this dry spell, the Ghana Football Association have appointed former manager and Serbian tactician Milovan Rajevac, who guided the nation to the Africa Nations Championship final in 2009, the AFCON final in 2010 and the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup.

The West African side are currently unbeaten in each of their last four games, claiming three wins and one draw in Group G of the World Cup qualifiers, where they sit at the summit of the table with 13 points from six games.

Team News

Belmadi has named a star-studded 28-man list for the Africa Cup of Nations, including Manchester City ace Riyad Mahrez, West Ham United’s Said Benrahma and AC Milan midfielder Ismael Bennacer.

A number of players who lifted the 2021 Arab Cup title back in December have also been called up by the former Qatar national team manager, Yacine Brahimi, who scored three goals and created one in six games, and Al-Fateh midfielder Sofiane Bendebka.

Meanwhile, Ghana head to Cameroon with a promising 30-man squad, including the Premier League trio of Thomas Partey, Daniel Amartey and Jordan Ayew.

Five home-based players have also been rewarded with a place in the team following an impressive season in the Ghana Premier League, including David Abagna and Maxwell Abbey Quaye, who have been handed their debut call-up by Rajevac.

Ajax midfielder Mohammed Kudus is currently recuperating from a rib injury he sustained back in November’s 1-0 win over South Africa in Group E of the World Cup qualifiers.

Algeria possible starting lineup:
Medjadel; Chetti, Mandy, Jean-Tahrat, Halaimia; Zorgane, Bendebka, Belkebla; Boulaya, Brahimi, Amoura

Ghana possible starting lineup:
Atta; Djiku, Mumin, Baffuor, Mensah; Abagna, Wakaso, Addo; Issahaku, Quaye, Yiadom

By Joshua Ojele African Football News – Follow us on Twitter @football_sierra On Facebook & Instagram: Football Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone’s contingent set to arrive in Douala, Cameroon, on a chartered flight Thursday, January 6th, ahead of the 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, Football Sierra Leone understands.

Douala is one of the two largest cities in the country, with Yaounde overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The Leone Stars delegation to lodge at the Best Western hotel in Douala. 

During the group stages of the AFCON, Sierra Leone will play in Group E alongside holders Algeria, Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea.

Queens Park Rangers defender Osman Kakay will join the rest of the players on Tuesday evening at the Golden Tulip Hotel Freetown before Thursday’s departure for Cameroon.

Former England international Steven Caulker was part of the training session on Monday afternoon at the Siaka Steven Stadium.

Meanwhile, the Atlas Lions of Morocco became the fourth national team to arrive in Cameroon.

They arrived in the Central African nation on a chartered aircraft on Sunday 2, January, after a five-hour flight from Morocco.

Already in Cameroon are Ethiopia, Sudan, Zimbabwe and Morocco.

Fixtures

• Tuesday, 11 January: Algeria v Sierra Leone
• Wednesday, 12 January: Equatorial Guinea v Ivory Coast
• Sunday, 16 January: Ivory Coast v Sierra Leone, Algeria v Equatorial Guinea
• Thursday, 20 January: Ivory Coast v Algeria, Sierra Leone v Equatorial Guinea

Road to Final

• Group Stage from January 9 to 20, 2022
• Round of 16: January 23-26 2022
• Quarter-finals: January 29 and 30, 2022
• Semi-finals February 2 and 3, 2022
• Third Place MATCH and FINAL: February 6, 2022

African Football News – Follow us on Twitter @football_sierra On Facebook & Instagram: Football Sierra Leone.