AFCON: Senegal, Morocco Defeat Cape Verde, Malawi To Qualify For Quarterfinals

Pre tournament favourites and Africa’s deputy champions Senegal qualified for the quarterfinals of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations after defeating nine-man Cape Verde Cape 2-0 at the Stade Omnisports de Bafoussam in a round- of – 16 match on Tuesday evening.

Sadio Mane and Bamba Dieng grabbed second half goals for the Teranga Lions albeit Mane rattled the post barely a minute into the match.

Both teams observed a moment of silence ahead of kickoff in memory of the victims of the Olembe Stadium incident which happened Monday night that claimed the lives of eight people including two children.

In the second round-of-16 match on Tuesday right back Achraf Hakimi scored a stunning free-kick, his second of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon as Morocco came from a goal down to defeat battling Malawi 2-1.

Malawi’s Mango Gabadinho opened the scoring with an excellent 35-yard screamer to give Malawi the lead. The ferocious strike is already adjudged as a contender for goal of the tournament award.

Youssef En-Nseyri had restored parity for the Atlas Lions just before the half time break with a brilliant header before PSG star Hakimi secured the victory. It was Morocco’s first qualification to the quarterfinals stage since 2017.