Senegal 3-0 Gambia: Defending Champions begin title defence in style

Senegal began their Africa Cup of Nations title defence with a 3-0 victory over 10-man Gambia on Monday, thanks to Lamine Camara's double, capping a string of unexpected results at the Ivory Coast tournament.

After a shocking Sunday in which the minnows outperformed heavyweight opponents, Senegal restored faith in the form book as Pape Gueye scored early and Camara added two more to secure victory in the first Group C match.

Gueye put Senegal ahead in the fourth minute at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium, while Camara, voted Young African Player of the Year in 2023, demonstrated his potential with a fine finish seven minutes after the break and a sublime second into the top corner four minutes later.

Gambia were reduced to ten men after Ebou Adams was sent off for an unnecessary stamp on Camara in stoppage time at the end of the first half, putting Gambia on the back foot in the second period.

However, they were already up against it after Gueye scored after Sadio Mane set him up. Gambia captain Omar Colley's poor clearance left Mane unmarked on the left, and he laid the ball back for Gueye to score.

Adams caught Camara on his heel long after the ball had passed and was initially cautioned. However, after a VAR review, it was changed to red, banning the Cardiff City defender for the next two games.

Senegal doubled the score with two simple passes from deep in defence, as captain Kalidou Koulibaly found Ismaila Sarr in midfield, who threaded a defence-splitting pass for Camara to run onto and score.

Iliman Ndiaye's dribbling on the right side of the attack set up the third goal, as he cleverly worked his way across the penalty box before passing to Camara.

Gambia, who reached the quarter-finals of the previous Cup of Nations in a surprise performance two years ago, provided little in attack aside from an early shot from Musa Barrow, which Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saved.

Cameroon and Guinea will play the second Group C game later on Monday in the Ivorian capital.

SportsLigue