Mueez Ajao
– Heavyweights Senegal failed to fire again and were fortunate not to concede a penalty in a 0-0 draw with unfancied Malawi on Tuesday, but they still finished in top spot in Group B at the Africa Cup of Nations.
– Senegal won the group with five points, despite scoring only once in their three matches, via a late Sadio Mane penalty against Zimbabwe in their opening game.
– Malawi and Guinea both finished with four points but the latter took second spot on the head-to-head rule, while the Malawians must now wait to see if they are one of the four best third-placed teams, who also advance to the next round.
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– Malawi were left fuming when Cameroon referee Blaise Ngwa cancelled a late penalty he initially awarded them at the Kouekong Stadium in Bafoussam, after Gomezgani Chirwa was brought down in the box by defender Bouna Sarr.
– The decision was overturned on review, but Senegal can regard themselves as fortunate as there was both a pull of the shirt and contact.
– Malawi’s president Lazarus Chakwera had offered each of those who played against Senegal a payment of 1 million Kwacha ($1,223) if the team advances to the second round. The chance to make history and be the first team from the country to progress in the tournament may be more rewarding, however.
– Senegal had newly crowned FIFA Best Men’s Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy back in the team after he missed their first two matches due to COVID-19, and he was arguably the busier of the glovemen, certainly in the first half.
– Malawi used the pace of Frank Mhango and guile of Francisco Madinga to create a number of chances in the opening period that forced the Chelsea keeper into smart saves.
– But the best chance of the half fell to Mane, who met Sarr’s cut-back but managed only to scoop the ball over the crossbar with the net gaping.
– Mhango had a free-kick that was deflected just wide of Mendy’s goal by Senegal midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate, whose earlier yellow card will mean he misses their second round fixture.
– Habib Diallo steered a powerful header from a free kick on target but Malawi’s debutant goalkeeper Charles Thom produced a fine save. Thom was in the side because regular number one Ernest Kakhobwe has suspected malaria.
