Senegal and Guinea played to a goalless stalemate in their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Group B match at the Bafoussam Omnisport Stadium, Kouekong on Friday afternoon.
The result sees the Teranga Lions stay on top of the group standings tied with Syli Nationale on four points.However, the log order could well be altered by the late game on Friday between Zimbabwe and Malawi.
Guinea settled the quicker of the two teams and created the first clear chance in the ninth minute, with Saidou Sow teeing up Mohamed Bayo for a shot in the middle of the penalty area, but the midfielder sent his effort high and wide.
Mame Thiam carved out an opening for Aliou Cisse ‘s charges as his free-kick found Sadio Mane, who sent his header wide of the mark from close range.
Soon after, Guinea’s Issiaga Sylla met a cross from the left but his header lacked power and was easily gathered by Seny Dieng.
In the 25th minute, Gabon goalkeeper Al Keita produced a finger-tip save to deny Senegal midfielder Bouna Sarr, who was looking to open the scoring for his side.
Morgan Guilavogui squandered a great chance to give Guinea the lead on 30th minute but the striker sent his shot straight to Seny Dieng hands after an error from Bouladiye Dia.
Syli Nationale hanged on whilst the Teranga Lions asked all the questions to see the first half goalless in the city of Bafoussam.
Senegal were gifted a great chance to score two minutes into the second half when Cheikhou Kouyaté met a cross from Saliou Ciss, but the latter’s 16-yard shot came off his shin and went wide under no pressure.
Ten minutes later, Guinea almost stole the lead in a rare foray forward when Ibrahima Sory Conte got on the end of a free-kick into the Senegal box, but goalkeeper Dieng made a great point blank save to deny his header.
Senegal should have taken the lead in the 76th minute when a horrible mistake by goalkeeper Keita saw him clear the ball straight to Sadio Mane, but he failed to beat the shot-stopper in a one-on-one.
The Teranga Lions threw players forward in the final ten minutes of the match, but could not find a winner and had to settle for a share of the spoils.
Lineups:
Senegal: Seny Dieng – Ibrahima Mbaye, Pape Abou Cisse, Abdou Diallo, Saliou Ciss – Cheikhou Kouyate, Mamadou Loum Ndiaye, Bouna Sarr, Sadio Mane, Mame Baba Thiam – Boulaye Dia
Guinea: Aly Keita – Ibrahima Cisse, Saidou Sow, Mohamed Aly Camara, Ibrahima Conte, Issiaga Sylla – Ilaix Moriba, Amadou Diawara, Naby Keita – Morgan Guilavogui, Mohamed Bayo
