Sadio Mané put his World Cup disappointment behind him by scoring on his return to worldwide motion as Senegal swept previous Mozambique 5-1 in African Cup of Nations qualifying on Friday.
Mané darted behind the protection to poke residence a move by Youssouf Sabaly together with his left foot for the reigning African champion’s second aim in Dakar.
Mohamed Salah netted Egypt’s opener in a 2-0 win over Malawi.
And there was additionally a profitable return for Ivory Coast striker Sébastien Haller, who scored to assist his nation beat Comoros 3-1 in his first worldwide since his comeback after receiving therapy for testicular most cancers.
Mané smiled as he celebrated his aim with teammates, who needed to do with out their star participant on the World Cup final 12 months after he was injured simply earlier than the event.
Without Mané, Senegal was knocked out by England within the spherical of 16 on the World Cup. But the convincing win over Mozambique, Mané’s first sport for Senegal since earlier than the World Cup, stored the Cup of Nations titleholder on the prime of Group L with three wins from three and heading in the right direction to qualify for the continental championship subsequent 12 months in Ivory Coast.
Sabaly scored the primary aim within the ninth minute, Mané made it two within the sixteenth, and Iliman Ndiaye and Boulaye Dia ensured Senegal led 4-0 at halftime. Habib Diallo despatched a diving header in for the fifth with two minutes to go.
Gildo Vilanculos obtained Mozambique’s solely aim when he headed a parry by Alfred Gomis straight again previous the Senegal goalkeeper to make it 4-1 early within the second half.
Senegal didn’t enable that to threaten its dominance and managed the remainder of the sport, with Mané at one level urging his workforce to not accept 4-1 and go ahead in the hunt for extra objectives. Diallo ultimately delivered one.
Salah took his aim with a first-time shot from a cross within the twentieth minute to provide Egypt the lead in opposition to Malawi in Cairo. Omar Marmoush was credited with the second however his low shot took a depraved deflection off a Malawi defender and looped over goalkeeper Charles Thom.
Egypt had 21 photographs to Malawi’s 5 and 75% possession, and the win revived the file seven-time African champion’s qualifying marketing campaign after it misplaced to Ethiopia within the final spherical to slide to the underside of Group D on aim distinction.
Earlier on Friday, Nigeria struggled to a 1-0 loss at residence to Guinea-Bissau, ending the Super Eagles’ profitable begin to qualifying and seeing Guinea-Bissau take prime spot in Group A. Nigeria continues to be in place to qualify for the African Cup as the highest two groups from every group qualify.
South Africa cruised to a 2-0 lead over Liberia with a double by striker Lyle Foster, however Liberia fought again for a draw with Mohammed Sangare’s equalizer coming in harm time at Soccer City in Soweto. That damage South Africa’s hopes of qualifying and deeply annoyed coach Hugo Broos, who walked out of a news convention after telling reporters he wouldn’t reply any of their questions.
“There is too much disappointment, too much frustration, too much anger in my body,” Broos stated. “If I should say now what I think, it would not be nice.”
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com