At 21:00 Beijing time on January 10, the first round of Group B of the 2022 African Cup of Nations, Senegal played against Zimbabwe. In the first half, the two teams played 0-0, and in the second half, Mane scored in the 97th minute, Senegal completed the second-reading kill, won 1-0, and won four consecutive African Cups of Nations.
Senegal was the runner-up of the last African Cup of Nations, currently ranked 20th in the world, and has a large number of players who play in the five major leagues, such as Mane, Geye, Eduard Mendy, Cuiat and Diallo, and the strength is naturally strong, which can be said to be the first team in Africa. As for Zimbabwe, which is currently ranked 121st in the world, it belongs to the little-known fish belly team, and the gap between the two sides is very large.
In the 24th minute, Mane staged a wonderful 1V2 overtaking, forced the ball on the left side into the penalty area, cut inside and then fired a powerful right-footed shot, which was deflected by the Zimbabwe goalkeeper.
In the 45th minute, Senegal's tactical corner kick was combined, and Barrow Toure, who played for AC Milan, shot at the edge of the box, but unfortunately hit the side-netting.
In the 69th minute, Senegal won a free kick in front of the field, Mane took the lead and Diallo's header was scored slightly above the crossbar.
The game entered stoppage time and a dramatic scene was staged. In the 96th minute, Zimbabwe defender Majonggui held a handball in the penalty area and the referee decisively awarded a penalty. In the 97th minute, Mane withstood the pressure and made it 1-0! After the goal, Mane knelt on the ground in celebration with a rather determined look in his eyes. In the end, Senegal won the game and beat Zimbabwe 1-0 to score three points.
Post-match statistics showed that Senegal had a 61% possession rate, shooting 15-11 on goal and 3-2 on target, with all key figures in the lead. However, Zimbabwe almost broke out of the big cold, and it was a pity that it did not score 1 point.
With the arrival of this 1-0, Senegal has made a good start to four consecutive African Cups and has never dropped the chain since 2015. Of course, Senegal also completed four consecutive wins against Zimbabwe, the two sides have met five times, the record is 4 wins and 1 loss, the only loss is back to 1993, that is, 29 years ago.
Zimbabwe, located in southeastern Africa, used to be best known for their exaggerated inflation, but football has never been their forte. In the strong African football world, Zimbabwe has always been a foil, did not expect to play so tenacious this time, but unfortunately it is still a little far from the miracle.
Zimbabwe, which has been 6 winless in the previous two Africa Cups, has not tasted victory, and does not exceed 1 point, and is out of the bottom of the group. Senegal, on the other hand, has reached at least the final four in the last three African Cups, but unfortunately missed out on the champions, this time they are obviously aiming to win the championship.