Senegal hold Malawi to go top of Group B
Senegal were held to a barren draw by Malawi, during their Group B clash of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
The result pushed Senegal to top of group B with 5 points as Guinea close in with 4 points together with Malawi leaving Zimbabwe at the bottom with just 3 points.
Senegal had a couple of chances to walk away with the three points, as Sadio Mane’s free kick was sent wide by Malawi goalkeeper Charles Thomu and also missed a close range shot as it went over the bar.
Malawi had a chance of their own as they were awarded a penalty but was overturned following a video assistant referee (VAR) review.
Malawi thought they had a spot-kick in the 74th minute when left-back Gomezgani Chirwa went down under the challenge of Bouna Sarr, but referee Blaise Yuven Ngwa reversed his decision after studying replays.
Senegal, Nations Cup runners-up in 2019, only scored one goal in their three group matches, which was Mane’s 97th minute winner against Zimbabwe in their opener.
Senegal will face a third-placed side from Group A, C or D in the last 16 on Tuesday, 25 January.
Senegal were back to full strength for the first time, with goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and captain Kalidou Koulibaly making their first appearances following bouts of Covid-19 and midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye also returning after a positive test.
Tags: Cameroon Malawi Afcon 2021
