The Teranga Lions of Senegal started their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win over the Taifa Stars of Tanzania in a Group C encounter. Playing without captain Sadio Mane who was serving a one match suspension, the West Africans were never troubled by their opponents.
Striker M’Baye Niang twice came close to opening the scoring in the first six minutes before the Lions inevitably took the lead after 28 minutes. Keita Balde Diao lashed home a left-footed strike that goalkeeper, Aishi Manula couldn’t hold.
Rennes forward, Ismaila Sarr had a goal disallowed midway through the first half after Cheikhou Kouyate was penalised for handball in the build-up.
Manula was called upon many times to prevent the scoreline from widening but Alio Cisse’s team eventually had their dominance rewarded in the 64th minute in truly spectacular fashion.
Tanzania failed to clear a corner properly and Krepin Diatta hammered home a thunderbolt from the edge of the box to seal the win. Senegal will next face Algeria on Thursday.