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Senegal Take Command Of Group B At The 2017 Africa Cup Of Nations

Senegal Take Command Of Group B At The 2017 Africa Cup Of Nations

With four games played thus far at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal was the only side to secure a win and take command of Group B thanks to their three-point haul.

The opening day of matches in Gabon saw two draws, with the hosts stumbling to a 1-1 stalemate against tournament newbies Guinea Bissau, while Cameroon and Burkina Faso managed the same scoreline in the late match on Saturday.

Sunday’s matches saw a lively score draw between Algeria and Zimbabwe, before Senegal secured bragging rights with a victory over Tunisia.

Gabon 1-1 Guinea Bissau

In their first ever appearance at the AFCON, Guinea Bissau can hold their heads high after securing a 1-1 draw against tournament hosts Gabon at the Stade de I’Amitie in Libreville on Saturday.

The Panthers of Gabon went ahead thanks to star player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s goal on 52 minutes, but the unlikely storyline unfolded in the 90th minute when Juary Soares scored the equaliser for the Wild Dogs with a diving header from a free-kick at the very last moment.

Burkina Faso 1-1 Cameroon

Burkina Faso came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in Libreville on Saturday night.

The Stallions could not stop Cameroon captain Benjamin Moukandjo’s free kick goal, but they managed a 75th minute equaliser when Issoufou Dayo headed a goal to earn his side a share of the spoils.

Algeria 2-2 Zimbabwe

Two goals from newly crowned African Player of the Year, Riyad Mahrez, secured a valuable draw for Algeria in the final minutes of an entertaining encounter against Zimbabwe on Sunday evening.

Mahrez scored a well-placed opener for the Fennec Foxes with a curled effort into the far corner in the 12th minute, but Zimbabwe were soon on level terms as Kudakwashe Mahachi equalised after a good team move. The Southern Africans then took the lead in the 28th minute after Onismor Bhasera was fouled in the Algerian box and Nyasha Mushekwi scored the resulting penalty.

The favoured North Africans almost fell to the Zimbabwean sword, but they did well to fight until the end and preserved a draw with a 82nd minute Mahrez long-range effort that should have been saved, making it 2-2.

Senegal 2-0 Tunisia

Senegal took command of Group B at the 2017 AFCON thanks to a 2-0 win over Tunisia in Franceville on Sunday night.

A draw between Zimbabwe and Algeria means that the Teranga Lions go top of their group after first-half goals from Sadio Mane and Kara Mbodj secured victory. Mane’s strike was from a penalty before Mbodj made sure of the three points.