Senegal and Morocco progress to quarterfinals of AFCON

The Terenga Lions of Senegal and the Atlas Lions of Morocco have both progressed to the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. The Senegalese team beat nine-man Cape Verde in Baffousam in a largely balanced game until the Blue Sharks were reduced to ten men.

Senegal finished top of a group that had Zimbabwe, Guinea and Malawi, with five points and with just a single goal scored in three games.

However, the 2019 finalists should have taken the lead in the first minute, but a shot from inside the box hit the upright.

Afterwards, Patrick Andrade was sent off after a VAR review for a tackle on Idrissa Gueye in the 21st minute, while Goalkeeper Vozinha was sent off after a collision with Sadio Mane just at the edge of the box in the 57th minute.

Senegal took the lead three minutes later through Sadio Mane while Bamba Dieng slotted home in added time as Senegal won a game that was controversial for its officiating.

Meanwhile, Senegal came from behind to beat Malawi at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium on Tuesday evening. Malawi took the lead after just seven minutes through a goal of the tournament contender from Gabadinho Mhango with his third goal of the tournament.

However, Youssef En-Nesyri in first-half stoppage time, while Achraf Hakimi hit a stunning free-kick with twenty minutes left to play.

Senegal and Morocco will face the winners of Mali vs Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast vs Egypt in the quarterfinals, respectively.

Mali and Equatorial Guinea will play at the Limbe Stadium on Wednesday evening, while Ivory Coast and Egypt will play in Douala.

The quarterfinals will kick start on Saturday evening with Gambia and Cameroon, while Burkina Faso and Tunisia will play the second quarterfinal of the night.

Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu