Defending champions Senegal secured their place in the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 with a resounding 3-1 victory over Cameroon.
Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diallo, and Sadio Mane found the net, propelling Senegal to a maximum six points after two Group C matches.
Earlier in the day, Cape Verde became the first team to secure a last-16 spot by defeating Mozambique 3-0.
Sarr’s goal in the first half set the tone for Senegal’s dominance, with Diallo and Mane sealing the convincing win in the second half.
Although Jean-Charles Castelletto scored late for Cameroon, Senegal’s lead remained unassailable.
Senegal, starting with five players from the 2022 final, demonstrated their attacking prowess, and the victory positions them as strong contenders in the tournament.
Cameroon, missing star forward Vincent Aboubakar due to injury, faced defensive challenges that contributed to the goals conceded.
With six points in hand, Senegal is now focused on the knockout stage, while Cameroon has just one point and faces an uphill battle to progress.
Guinea and the Gambia will vie for points in the second double-header match, with both teams eyeing advancement in the competition.
