AFCON 2023: Senegal 3 – 0 Gambia – Terenga Lions roar to begin title defense with emphatic win

Senegal embarked on their journey to defend the Africa Cup of Nations title with a resounding 3-0 triumph against a 10-man Gambia during the inaugural AFCON 2023 clash on a memorable Monday.

Under the leadership of Aliou Cisse, Senegal showcased their prowess, solidifying their standing as one of the favorites in a manner that eluded other contenders like Egypt, Nigeria, and Ghana during the opening weekend of the tournament hosted in the Ivory Coast.

A mere four minutes into the match, Pape Gueye demonstrated precision as he elegantly slotted home the opening goal, laying the foundation for Senegal’s conquest over their surprise quarterfinalist neighbors from two years prior.

The first half, marred by a global broadcast interruption, took an unexpected turn for Gambia as Ebou Adams received a red card for a high challenge in stoppage time, thrusting them into a challenging uphill battle amidst the unforgiving heat and humidity of Yamoussoukro.

The spotlight of the second half belonged to Lamine Camara, a 20-year-old midfield maestro, who effortlessly sealed three points for Senegal. Camara’s finesse was evident as he netted a low finish, extending Senegal’s lead to 2-0 shortly after the break. However, it was his second goal that stole the show, a breathtaking first-time strike from the edge of the area that is sure to dominate headlines.

This decisive victory firmly propels Senegal towards the knockout phase, setting the stage for a crucial encounter against Cameroon in their upcoming Group C fixture. The impending clash could potentially determine the group topper, adding an extra layer of anticipation and excitement to Senegal’s AFCON 2023 campaign.

Confirmed lineups:

Senegal (3-4-3, right to left): E. Mendy (GK) — Koulibaly, A. Diallo (Ciss), Niakhate (Seck) — Diatta, Camara, P. Gueye (N. Mendy), Jakobs — I. Sarr (Ndiaye), H. Diallo (Jackson), Mane.

Gambia (4-3-2-1 right to left): Gaye (GK) — Janko, Gomez, Colley, Touray (Fadera) — Manneh (Barry), Adams, Darboe (Ceesay) — Minteh (Sangyang), Barrow — Sowe (Badamosi)