Senegal 2-0 Tanzania: Teranga Lions ran over Amunike's Taifa Stars

Senegal kicked off their 2019 AFCON expedition in a rather convincing fashion, triumphing 2-0 against East Africans Emmanuel Amunike tutored Tanzania at the 13th June Stadium on Sunday evening.

A goal in each half from Inter Milan’s Keita Balde and Club Bruge’s Krepin Diatta won the day for Aliou Cisse’s coached side.

Senegal had a great start to the game with countless attacks towards the opposition.

As early as the third minute, Stade Rennias forward had a shot well tamed by Simba Sports club goalkeeper Aishu Salum Manula.

The pressure continued as Tanzania’s midfielder Abdallah Salum Feisal got cautioned by Tunisian referee Sadok Selmi for a malicious tackle onto Papa Alioune Ndiaye after 9 minutes.

By this time, Tanzania had hardly threatened and Sabaly Youssouf had a shot thwarted by goalie Manula.

On the quarter hour mark, Tanzania was rewarded a free-kick from 20 yards after Senegal’s Papa Alioune Ndiaye committed a foul and got cautioned.

Under the next minute, Niang goal bound shot blocked by Kelvin Yondani.

Tanzania’s attempt towards the West Africa’ goal area was Yahya Abbas’s shot off target coming after 18 minutes.

Senegal was unfortunate to lose Salif Sane through injury after 22 minutes and the FC Shalke’s defender was replaced by Crystal Palace’s midfielder Cheikou Kouyate.

The break through moment of the game came after 27 minutes when Blade expertly finished past Manula for the opener.

Hamid Mao got cautioned three minutes past the half hour mark.

Towards the end of the first half, Blade’s freekick was volleyed over by Papa Ndiaye.

Senegal seemed careless in the second half until the second goal, a bullet shot by Diatta won the game.

Thomas Ulimwengu was called on for Saimon Happygod Msuva after 66 minutes as Tanzania sough to kill off the game. Meanwhile, Moussa Konate was introduced for Mbaye Niang who looked off colour as the game neared its climax.

The East Africans suffer the loss on return to AFCON after a 37 year’s absence.

By Olamide Oyetunji