Senegal put up a superb show in blowing Gambia away as they began the defense to their Africa Cup of Nations title in style.
Lamine Camara led the way for Senegal with a brace as they defeated 10-man Gambia 3-0 in Yamoussoukro on Monday.
They showed enough quality to make a huge statement to suggest that they could become the first team to win the AFCON back-to-back since Egypt claimed three titles consecutively in 2006, 2008 and 2010.
The Senegalese wasted no time in breaking through with the opener on the fourth minute when Pape Gueye fired home with a left-footed effort after being teed up by Sadio Mane.
Gambia had a difficult preparation to the event, refusing to train in a session over an unpaid qualification bonus and had their flight to Côte d’Ivoire turned back nine minutes after takeoff owing to technical problems.
Despite the challenges faced earlier and the early setback after conceding the opening goal, the Gambian team were not deterred as they searched for an equalizer and almost got an immediate response.
Musa Barrow curled a free-kick to the side-netting as his team pushed themselves back into the game, however, they were reduced before the break when midfielder Ebou Adams was red carded for a studs-up challenge.
In the second period, Gambia started off brightly in searching as they took the game to the defending champions Senegal when keeper Edouard Mendy was called to action, parring away Barrow’s effort from afar before his teammate Ali Sowe blasted away the rebound.
Senegal effectively took the game off Gambia’s reach with the second goal by who collected a pass from Ismailia Sarr and then drive a shot in the top corner of the net.
The 20-year-old Camara netted again with few minutes to go as coach Aliou Cisse’s tutored side finished off brightly to send warnings to other competitors that they are in Côte d’Ivoire to defend their crown.
In the other game of the day, Cameroon national team started their campaign with a 1-1 draw with Guinea.
The Guinean team took a surprise lead after ten minutes when Mohamed Bayo capitalized on an error by Olivier Kemen, to score the opening goal for his side.
Though, the encounter took a different twist when Guinea were reduced to 10-man following the dismissal of captain Francois Kamano before halftime, giving the Cameroonian side with a huge advantage.
Cameroon’s resistance paid off in the second period and they scored to level score when striker Frank Magri headed in a cross Georges-Kevin Nkoudou.
The Indomitable Lions, Cameroon, found their feet after scoring, but they were unable to get further goals despite their best efforts and creating numerous chances.
In the final match, former winners Algeria conceded a late penalty to Angola and were held 1-1 in the opening Group D contest of the African championship.
Baghdad Bounedjah had score in the 19th minute with a beautiful goal to hand the Algerian side a bright start.
But a clumsy defending by Nabil Bentaleb gave away a penalty in the 68th minute and substitute Agostinho Mabululu made no mistake from the spot as it ended 1-1.
It meant that Algeria, 2019 champions, continued their winless run at the Cup of Nations after their triumphant.
They have now failed to win in four games at the AFCON since light in the coveted trophy two years ago in Cairo, Egypt.
