Senegal commenced their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations campaign on a winning note after Sadio Mane scored a late penalty to edge Zimbabwe 1-0 in Monday Group B game.
Senegal almost took the lead within a minute, as Bouna Sarr’s long-range effort was just wide of the near post.
Sadio Mane had the best chance of the first half, making a 30-yard dribble on the far-side touchline, then rounding a Zimbabwe defender, but his shot was tame and it was straight at Petros Mhari.
In the second half, Abdou Diallo came close to scoring for his side, as the centre-back headed over Sarr’s free-kick.
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A point was snatched from Zimbabwe right at the very end, when Mane calmly dispatched a dramatic late penalty after Kelvin Madzongwe handled the ball in the box.
Group B’s other two countries Guinea – featuring Mane’s Liverpool teammate Naby Keita – and Malawi also meet on Monday.
