Liverpool star Sadio Mane scored as Senegal defeated Zimbabwe and cruised into the Africa Cup of Nations knockout stages, with a comfortable 2-0 win over Zimbabwe in Franceville.
The Senegalese Teranga Lions burst out of the blocks taking only just 13 minutes to put the game beyond their opponents courtesy of goals by Liverpool star Mane and ex-Newcastle midfielder Henri Saivet. Senegal are now the first qualifiers for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.
Senegal are assured of topping Group B, even if they lose their final match against struggling Algeria, and will tackle the Group A runners-up for a last-four place. Tunisia look likeliest to join them in the knockout phase having recovered from a loss to Senegal four days ago to defeat Algeria 2-1 in the first half of a double-header.
Senegal have six points from two matches, Tunisia three and Algeria and Zimbabwe one each going into the final round.
Teranga Lions coach Aliou Cisse made one change to his line-up that started a 2-0 first-round win over Tunisia, preferring Saivet to Pape Ndiaye in midfield. It proved a clever change because Saivet played a prominent role in the opening goal before doubling the lead himself. Senegal were brilliant, skill full all throughout the game.
Africa Team