After hosts Cameroon and Cabo Verde began the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations with wins on Sunday, 4 extra fixtures came about on day two – with late drama an everyday theme all through.
The day’s opening sport was solely settled within the sixth minute of stoppage time, when Sadio Mane buried an injury-time penalty to offer Senegal a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe. It took a very long time for the competitors favourites to search out the breakthrough regardless of loads of possession dominance, with the counter-attacking menace at all times presenting the potential for an upset.
It was the same story as Morocco met Ghana, with Sofiane Boufal scoring the winner and solely aim of the sport simply seven minutes from time. Goalkeeper Joseph Wollacott needed to make a number of late saves to stop the scoreline changing into even wider within the closing phases. Comoros and Gabon, the opposite two nations in Group C, met afterward Monday night. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was lacking for Gabon after testing optimistic for Covid however his crew received the match due to a well-taken strike from a slender angle by Aaron Boupendza within the first half.
In the meantime, Guinea beat Malawi by the identical 1-0 scoreline to affix Senegal on the high of Group B.
Issiaga Sylla turned dwelling the one aim on 35 minutes after good work down the left flank by Naby Keita and Jose Kante, however that solely got here after Malawi’s Yamikani Chester had spurned two superb one-on-one probabilities on the different finish – one weak shot saved, earlier than he misplaced his footing for the second. Guinea, coached by former nationwide crew striker Kaba Diawara – briefly of Arsenal on the finish of the Nineties – had been indebted to goalkeeper Aly Keita making a number of first-half saves to maintain them forward, as Malawi arguably created the extra spectacular probabilities regardless of the eventual match-winners controlling possession.
Tuesday’s matches see the nations of Mohamed Salah, Riyad Mahrez and Kelechi Iheanacho all in motion, with Nigeria towards Egypt the day’s spotlight within the 4pm kick-off.
Kaynak: briturkish.com
