Senegal ease past Zimbabwe – Africa Cup of Nations 2017

Group B

Senegal 2-0 Zimbabwe

Goals from Sadio Mane and Henri Saivet were enough to see Senegal through to the next round of the Africa Cup of Nations, as they gave another impressive demonstration of their credentials as possible champions.

Senegal, knowing that a win would put them through as group winners following the defeat for Algeria at the hands of Tunisia, were in control from start to finish.

Mane got the ball rolling with a simple tap-in at the back post following a ball across goal from Balde Keita, which could well have been a shot.

Then Saivet smashed home a second from a free-kick within the first 15 minutes to pretty much kill the game.

From that moment on it was about Senegal seeing the game out – and they did so without too many problems.

Mane and co will top the group regardless of the result against Algeria because of their superior head-to-head record against Tunisia.

Can anyone stop Senegal? Going into the tournament Senegal were most people’s favourites, but the question mark was whether that big players would turn up? With two 2-0 wins it’s safe to say that yes they have. Mane is the headline grabber and he’s got two goals but it’s not all about the Liverpool man. Cheikhou Kouyate has led from the front as the captain and he has been truly excellent whilst Kara and Kalidou Koulibaly are rock solid at the back. Throw in the likes of Idrissa Gana Gueye, Balde Keita and Saivet and this is a Senegal team with talent all over the pitch. They are the team to beat right now.