Mane's Senegal are frustrated in goalless draw with underdogs Guinea

Senegal are frustrated in goalless draw with underdogs Guinea [photo courtesy]

Pre-tournament favourites Senegal failed to impress again as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Guinea at the Africa Cup of Nations on Friday, with the result all but ensuring both teams' progress to the knockout stages.

Senegal, heavily impacted by COVID-19 infections, share top spot in Group B on four points with West African rivals Guinea after both teams won their respective opening games on Monday.

With the top two in each group, plus the four best third-placed finishers to advance, four points is expected to be enough for a place in the last 16.

Senegal, however, have done little to live up to their tag as the team to beat at the tournament as they feel the impact of 10 absentees.

Senegal captain Sadio Mane had a chance from a close-range free kick early in the game at the Kouekong Stadium, but struck the wall with his effort.

He was largely overshadowed in the opening half by his Liverpool team mate Naby Keita, who drove his Guinea team forward on frequent occasions with probing runs at the opposing defence.

It was Keita’s clever through ball that split the Senegal defence and set two Guinea strikers free on goal. Yet Ilaix Moriba had his initial effort saved by Seny Dieng and then Morgan Guilavogui botched the rebound.

Senegal were a much improved outfit after the break and Bouna Sarr’s searching 52nd-minute free kick was close to delivering the first goal, needing just a touch to guide it in.

Four minutes later centre back Abdou Diallo powered a header just over the crossbar from a free kick and in the 67th minute Mane’s run straight down the middle from the centre circle set up Sarr with a golden chance but he snatched the ball wide.

Senegal’s 10 missing players, all out because of COVID-19 infections, included captain Kalidou Koulibaly and first choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who also missed their opening game on Monday, as well as Idrissa Gana Gueye and Fode Ballo Toure, who tested positive following the narrow 1-0 win over Zimbabwe in their opening match.

"It's been very difficult for us with all of these missing players," Senegal coach Aliou Cisse said.

Guinea had four players missing, who were in quarantine after testing positive.

Malawi and Zimbabwe, who both lost on Monday, play the second Group B game in Bafoussam later on Friday.