First game of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers for the reigning African Champions. In group L, Senegal hosted and beat Benin 3-1 at the Stade Abdoulaye Wade in Diamniadio.
From the start, the Lions took the Ratels by the throat. The Beninese defense first conceded a penalty in the 11th minute. Sadio Mané took the penalty and opened the scoring. The Liverpool player then scored a second goal in the 22nd minute. After a one-two with Sabaly, the number 10 first came up against the keeper before finishing with a flick. The Beninese came close two minutes later. But Sadio Mané, again, saw his shot hit the post. Two nil at the break. Sadio Mané, Senegal's all-time top scorer with 31 goals, was on target.
Benin were to suffer two successive setbacks in the second half. D'Almeida was sent off in the 51st minute. Sadio Mané then scored a hat-trick on the hour mark. His 32nd international goal. The Ratels will however reduce the score by Junior Olaitan Ishola in the 88th minute. Senegal won 3-1 and takes the lead of this group L. In the other match, Rwanda went to Mozambique to draw 1-1.
📹 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒: 🇸🇳 3-1 🇧🇯
The 2021 champions' plans to retain the title started with a solid performance vs. Benin 🦁#TotalEnergiesAFCONQ2023 | @Fsfofficielle | @fbfofficiel pic.twitter.com/9Qlpkf20gv
— CAF (@CAF_Online) June 4, 2022
