Senegal registered a 2-0 win against Cape Verde who were two men less in the African Cup Of Nations at Kouekong Stadium on Tuesday night.
With less than a minute played, Sadio Mane met a calm pass from Bouna Sarr but his resultant effort parried off the goal post to deny Senegal an early lead.
In the 12th minute, Sadio Mane laid a cross into the box to meet Papa Gueye but Cape Verde’s custodian Dias Josimar palmed the effort away.
Hard tackling midfielder Idrissa Gueye was given a freekick at the edge of the box but his freekick was blocked by the defensive wall to deny Senegal’s chance.
In the 21st minute, referee Lahlou Benbraham showed Patrick Andrade a red card after a VAR check due to the high boot foul by the midfielder.
Cape Verde’s first clinical chance came from Kenny Rocha Santos who best his marker to break into the box but his shot was blocked by Koulidou Koulibaly.
As the game grew both sides got physical and the centre referee was busy with his whistle calling fouls.
After the break, Senegal increased the pace of the game with hunger in search of an opener.
Moments later, Gueye volleyed the ball from the edge of the box on meeting a rebound but his shot was punched away by the goalkeeper Vozhina.
With three minutes to the top of the hour, Vozhina collided with Mane in an aerial contest and the custodian was sent off after a VAR check by the centre referee.
Five minutes later, Mane placed the ball onto the back of the net to place Senegal ahead of the nine man Cape Verde.
Moments later, Mane was forced off the pitch after a head injury and was replaced by Bamba Dieng.
With six minutes to end, Bamba missed a golden chance after meeting a low cross in the box but his shot hit the side of the net.
At the death of the one sided game, second half substitute Bamba finally placed the ball in the goal to send Cape Verde home in style.
Senegal register their second win of the tournament and managing only three goals on the journey.
The 2019 finalists will play against the winner between Morocco and Malawi in the quarter finals of the ongoing tournament.
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