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AFCON 2023 Day 3: Senegal enjoy winning start to title defence, Cameroon, Algeria held
Senegal defeated Gambia 3-0 on Monday to start their Africa Cup of Nations title defence, led by an incredible brace from Lamine Camara. However, Cameroon and Algeria, two other heavyweights, were both defeated in their opening games.
Senegal, led by Sadio Mane, is vying to keep the trophy they won in Cameroon two years ago. Despite playing with ten men for the entirety of the second half, Senegal proved too formidable for their neighbours from Gambia.
Within four minutes in the Ivorian capital of Yamoussoukro, the Lions of Teranga took the lead thanks to a goal from Mane and a cross from Marseille midfielder Pape Gueye.
The Gambia had a difficult run-up to the competition, having to cancel a training session over an unpaid qualification bonus and having to turn around their flight to the Ivory Coast nine minutes after takeoff because of technical issues.
They were the 2022 quarterfinalists, and just before the half, Cardiff midfielder Ebou Adams was sent off for a studs-up challenge.
When Camara, the 20-year-old African young player of the year, fired a low shot into the far corner early in the second half, Senegal effectively ended the match.
In the 86th minute, he sealed the win with a skillful shot that he bowed into the top corner from just outside the box. It was an early contender for goal of the tournament.
Senegal under Aliou Cisse will probably have a more difficult task.in their next Group C match when they face five-time winners Cameroon.
In the second game of the day in Yamoussoukro, the 2017 champions Indomitable Lions had to fight back from behind to draw 1-1 with 10-man Guinea. Frank Magri equalised for Cameroon early in the second half.
Mohamed Bayo, who was spearheading Guinea's attack in lieu of the injured Serhou Guirassy—a striker having a fantastic season with Stuttgart in Germany—had given them an early lead.
Francois Kamano of Guinea was sent off as halftime drew near, giving Cameroon a boost despite the absence of Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, who arrived in Ivory Coast only hours before the game.
Magri brought them level, but in the intense heat of the late afternoon, they were unable to find a winner.
Empty seats – After Cameroon, Nigeria, Egypt, and Ghana, Algeria, the 2019 champion, became the most recent major team to lose their opening match when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Angola in Bouake.
In the second city of Ivory Coast, Baghdad Bounedjah gave Algeria the lead after eighteen minutes. Shortly after, however, a close-range second goal was disallowed due to a close offside call.
Midway through the second half of the Group D match, a Mabululu penalty gave Angola the equaliser. However, since 2012, Angola has lost all nine of their games at the Cup of Nations.
On Tuesday, also in Bouake, Burkina Faso and Mauritania will be in the same group.
Massive areas of empty seats watched Monday's matches, which has quickly embarrassed the tournament's organisers.
On Monday, Ivorian Prime Minister Robert Beugre Mambe announced that steps would be taken to try to guarantee that stadiums are full.
After receiving criticism for the fact that fewer than 37,000 people showed up for the hosts' opening game against Guinea-Bissau on Saturday at the 60,000-seat Ebimpe Olympic Stadium, he declared, "You will see the results in the next 48 hours."
Many Ivorians were upset that some people had purchased tickets in bulk online and were unable to resell them after the game was deemed sold out.
According to a joint statement from the local organising committee and the Confederation of African Football, "many supporters expressed their concerns about the fact the stadium was not totally full."
Group E's first games are scheduled for Tuesday. Tunisia will play Namibia and Mali will play South Africa in Korhogo.