Senegal scored ahead of Malawi as part of the 3rd day of CAN 2025 qualifying played yesterday, Friday October 11, 2024 at the Abdoulaye Wade stadium. Facing Flames without biting and numerically inferior, the Lions won with a clear score of (4-O). With this great success, the temporary duo of Pape Thiaw and Teddy Pellerin propelled to the head of the selection, achieves its baptism of fire and allows Senegal to reconcile with its public but also to reposition itself by reaching the top of the ranking from Group L Burkina Faso who beat Burundi (4-1) in Abidjan on Thursday.
Senegal succeeded in its bet by relaunching its race towards qualification for the 2025 African Cup of Nations. The Lions took a good option by outclassing yesterday, Friday October 11, 2024 at the Abdoulaye Wade stadium, Malawi (4-0). The minimum price of a selection which controlled the debates from one end of the meeting to the other. For the start of this new post Aliou Cissé, the duo of coaches at his head Pape Bouna Thiaw were expected on his tactical and track choices to restore confidence after the two worrying performances against Burkina Faso then against Burundi. With this in mind, the former CHAN winner opted for a 4-2-3-1 with the return of a 4-man defense with Formose Mendy and Ismaïl Jakobs at full-back positions. The Lions succeed from the start in taking the Malawian Flames by the collars with a high block. Present in recovery and possession, Sadio Mané’s teammates are slow to add intensity to the game and pierce the defensive curtain of an opponent almost curled up on himself. On a pass behind the defense, Sadio Mané managed to get rid of the defense. But he was dried out by Malawian goalkeeper Munthali on the edge of the area. The Togolese referee shows the red card (14th min). This is the turning point of the meeting. Despite this numerical superiority, the Senegalese are unable to realize their opportunities. As on this clear opportunity poorly played by Ilimane Ndiaye (24th min). The sparse audience at the Abdoulaye Wade stadium will be released ten minutes later following a combination with Sadio Mané followed by a shift from Ilimane Ndiaye. Around the surface Pape Guèye, very present in duels and the midfield manages, right in the middle, to take a well-aimed shot to open the score (1-0; 34th). Sadio Mané will still be on the verge of worsening the score on this acrobatic recovery, Senegal returns to the locker room with this short advantage.
Stallions, here come the Lions again
In the second half, the Senegal team is even sharper in the offensive phases. Nicolas Jackson will miss a ready goal (48th min). Pape Thiaw took advantage of this moment to make changes by making Habib Diarra replacing right side Formose Mendy position for position. Idrissa Gana Guèye takes to the pitch replacing Lamine Camera. Senegal maintains its domination and still offers itself clear opportunities to score. Like this penalty obtained by Sadio Mané, not whistled. The Lions striker will again be unfairly denied a goal scored in the 60th minute for a non-existent offside position. The efforts will be rewarded in the 67th minute. The light will come from Sadio Mané. Well served in the area, the leader of the Lions unleashes his left shot which shakes the nets (2-0).
Boulaye, the remarkable return, Nicolas Jackson finally finds the net
Entering in the 64th minute in place of Ilimane Ndiaye, Boulaye Dia, will make his comeback with a goal full of composure inside the area. (3-0; 71st). Liberated, the Lions do not let go.
Anxious to take care of the goal difference in the general classification, Kalidou Koulibaly’s teammates will put an end to the hopes of the Malawians. So far silent in the selection, Nicolas Jackson is participating in the festival. By infiltrating the defense, the Lions attacker will beat two defenders and close the score (4-0). The score would have been more substantial if Sadio Mané had been a little more inspired in this succession of clear missed chances in the 83rd, 84th but also in the 92nd minute. But the main thing is done. Senegal is back and joins Burkina Faso at the top of the group rankings. With this convincing victory, the Senegal team opens a new page in the post-Aliou Cissé era and ideally looks forward to the second confrontation on Tuesday, October 15 on the Flames pitch in Lillongwe. While tomorrow Sunday, Burundi will face Burkina Faso at the Felix Houphouët-Boigny stadium in Abidjan from 4 p.m. GMT. Note that the Stallions occupy first place in this group L with 7 points +5. Senegal is in 2nd place with 7 points +5. The Burundi (3 points, -3) et Malawi (0 point, -7.
Omar DIAW
