Former Liverpool striker Sadio Mane scored the equalizer for Senegal, helping them avoid an upset against the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in their intense Africa Cup of Nations match on Saturday, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Cedric Bakambu put the Leopards ahead shortly after the hour mark in Tangier, but Mane, playing for Al-Nassr, responded quickly to level the score. This result keeps Senegal at the top of Group D with one match remaining.
Both teams now have four points, but Senegal leads on goal difference ahead of their final group game against Benin on Tuesday.
Benin earned their first three points with a 1-0 win earlier on Saturday against Botswana, who remain at the bottom of the group without any points or goals.
Sebastien Desabre’s Congolese team was looking for revenge after a dramatic loss in their previous encounter during World Cup qualifying in September, where Senegal came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in Kinshasa, securing their place in next year’s finals in North America.
Although the DRC finished second in their group, they still have a chance to qualify for the World Cup by winning a playoff against either New Caledonia or Jamaica in Mexico in March.
Senegal, coming off a 3-0 victory over Botswana and considered a major contender against Morocco for the title on home turf, dominated possession and created more chances throughout the match.
The Leopards took the lead in the 61st minute when Theo Bongonda, who scored the only goal in their opening win against Benin, had a shot saved by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, allowing Bakambu to capitalize on the rebound.
However, Senegal equalized just eight minutes later, thanks to a brilliant run by teenage substitute Ibrahim Mbaye.
Seventeen-year-old Mbaye, a winger for Paris Saint-Germain who was born in France and played for their Under-20 team, has recently decided to represent Senegal internationally, qualifying through one of his parents.
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He came on as a substitute for Ismaila Sarr shortly after Bakambu scored the opening goal and contributed to the equalizer with a strong run down the right flank.
Mbaye evaded Arthur Masuaku, who seemed to injure himself while attempting to tackle him, and although his shot was blocked by Lionel Mpasi, Mane was there to score.
This marked Mane’s 10th goal in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), and he is participating in his sixth tournament.
In another match, Benin achieved their first-ever AFCON victory, with Yohan Roche scoring a deflected goal for a 1-0 win against Botswana in Group D in Rabat on Saturday.
With this win, Benin now has three points from their first two matches, putting them on level terms with Senegal and the DRC in the standings, who will face each other later on Saturday.
Benin took the lead in the 28th minute when Roche executed a one-two pass with captain Steve Mounie inside the box, and his shot from about 10 yards out took a significant deflection off a defender and found the net.
This victory marks Benin’s first win at the continental finals after 16 attempts since their debut in 2004, despite having reached the quarterfinals in 2019. They also have five draws and 10 losses in their AFCON history.
Botswana struggled offensively, although Mothusi Johnson nearly scored with a curling free-kick that hit the crossbar, beating the goalkeeper but not the goalpost.
Benin had multiple opportunities to extend their lead, but Botswana’s goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko made a fantastic low save to deny Tamimou Ouorou.
In added time, Dodo Dokou created a great chance from 12 yards out but shot over the bar with the goal wide open.
Botswana has now become the second team, after Benin, to lose their first five Cup of Nations matches, following three defeats in their debut in 2012 and a 3-0 loss to Senegal this year.
They will face the DRC in their final group match on Tuesday, while Benin will play against Senegal at the same time.
The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams across all six groups, will advance to the Round of 16.
