By Nana Kwame Bediako
Defending Champions Senegal opened their AFCON 2023 campaign with a victory against the Scorpions of Gambia at the Charles Konan Bannt Stadium in Yamoussoukro. The Teranga Lions stood tall as they inflicted a 3:0 defeat on the Scorpions of Gambia.
Senegal started the game on a good note, as they scored in the fourth minute of proceedings when Marseille midfielder Pape Gueye scored to put the African Champions ahead in Yamoussoukro.
Gambia, after going down, tried their best to get back into the game, but Senegal gave them a tough time with their strong defensive line. Senegal dictated the play from start to finish of the first half as they forced a red card on the Scorpions of Gambia in the 45th minute when Ebou Adams was sent off for violent conduct.
The second half started on the same note as the first as Senegal continued to dominate possession as they took charge of the game, with the Gambian side still trailing and finding it difficult to climb back into the game in order to salvage at least a point from the game.
The Teranga Lions added another goal to their tally in the 52nd minute when Lamine Camara’s right-footed shot to the button in the left corner of the goal got the defending champions buzzing with a comfortable 2:0 lead. Camara in the late minutes added a third to secure a comfortable 3:0 victory for the Champions of Africa.
