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Senegal locked horns with Kenya knowing well that a victory would assure them of a place in the knockout stages and they seemed up for it right from the get-go. After being eliminated from the World Cup group stages based on fair play points, the Lions of Teranga seemed determined to put those woes behind them and went into the AFCON as strong favorites.
Despite losing 1-0 to Algeria in their previous Group C encounter, Aliou Cisse's men ensured qualification to the Round of 16 with relative ease as Kenya were no match for them on the day. Senegal dominated the game for large parts and although it looked like Sadio Mane's penalty miss in the first half could come back to haunt them, it wasn't to be the case as the Kenyans fell well short in the end, losing 0-3.
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Senegal dominated the game from start to finish and finished second in Group C, 3 points behind Algeria. That said, let's look at some of the talking points from the game.
#1 Sadio Mane's influence
The 2018/19 season was one to remember for Sadio Mane. Fresh from achieving European glory and winning the Premier League golden boot with Liverpool, he was aiming for more success, this time with his country. He has never hidden his desperation of wanting to win an international trophy and also claimed earlier that he'd swap winning the Champions League with Liverpool for AFCON glory.
Whilst these claims raised a few eyebrows, one can understand the sentiment behind it. Senegal have never won a major international trophy and current manager Aliou Cisse was part of the nearly-men of 2002 who came agonizingly close to winning the AFCON, eventually losing out to Cameroon on penalties.
Having missed the first game through suspension, he was restored to the starting XI for the following encounter but was largely ineffective as Algeria ran out 1-0 winners. Against Kenya however, it was a different story altogether. Mane tormented the opposition defense from start to finish, playing a major part in all three goals.
His penalty miss in the first half didn't prove costly as he capitalized on some lazy defending to score his first goal and calmly slotted home another from the spot. In a crucial group stage encounter where Senegal could guarantee qualification with a victory, Mane led from the front and produced the goods when his side needed him the most, which was so often the case with Liverpool last season.
#2 Kenya looked disjointed as a team
Kenya started the game with a 4-5-1 formation and aimed to nullify Senegal's pace on the wings as well as their counter-attacking threat. Although they were well set up in the opening exchanges, they began to lose their shape as the game progressed and Senegal made them pay in devastating fashion.
The Lions of Teranga were far from their best but Kenya shot themselves in the foot numerous times, thereby lending Senegal a helping hand. They conceded a penalty in either half, weren't alert to the danger for Mane's first goal and goalkeeper Patrick Matasi was caught in no man's land as Ismaila Sarr capitalized to break the deadlock.
In such a high profile major tournament, the margin for error is as low as it gets and Kenya didn't do themselves any favors. They looked disjointed as a team and Senegal didn't even have to break a sweat to come out on top.
#3 Ismaila Sarr's growing reputation
Ismaila Sarr's stock is at an all-time high. The 21-year-old has absolutely burst on to the scene this season and if rumors are to be believed, a whole host of top clubs across Europe are vying for his signature. The explosive wide-man notched up 13 goals and 11 assists for Stade Rennais this season and has continued his form at the international level.
With the scores level, Senegal were piling up the pressure in an attempt to break the deadlock. When Lamine Gassama crossed one into the penalty area, the opposition goalkeeper was caught in no man's land and the ball fell kindly to Sarr, who still had a lot to do. The youngster took a touch to steady himself, before launching a vicious volley into the back of the net to put Senegal ahead.
The game was crying out for some inspiration and it came from the 21-year-old and if he keeps this up, there's every chance he gets snapped up by a big club in one of Europe's top five leagues.
#4 Polarizing performance from goalkeeper Patrick Matasi
Kenya goalkeeper Patrick Matasi had an eventful game, to say the least. In the opening exchanges, it looked like he simply wouldn't be beaten on the night as he pulled off a couple of outstanding saves and also went on to save a Sadio Mane penalty. In the second half, however, that wasn't to be the case.
Football is a game of two halves and Matasi's performance personified the fact as his mistakes proved costly. There was constant miscommunication between him and his center halves and his failure to collect a cross in the 63rd minute led to the opening goal of the game.
As a goalkeeper, you are always going to be scrutinized for the tiniest of errors and despite his heroics in the first half, it's unfortunate that he'll only be remembered for being responsible for conceding the opening goal.
#5 Idrissa Gueye with another below-par performance
Idrissa Gueye and Badou N'Diaye were chosen at the heart of the midfield for this crucial Group C encounter. While N'Diaye went about his business and delivered an assured performance, Gueye was below average by his usual standards once again.
Gueye gave away too many balls and looked a bit rusty at the center of the park, which led to manager Aliou Cisse withdrawing him in favor of Krepin Diatta. The tough-tackling midfielder is usually one of the most assured players for club and country and Senegal will be hoping their midfield enforcer finds his feet once again before the knockout stages.
There's a weight of expectation on his shoulders and he'll be determined to put this rough patch behind him and come big for Senegal in the business end of the tournament.
