SADIO MANE scored a last minute penalty to nick a 1-0 win for pre-tournament favourites Senegal in their Africa Cup of Nations opener against Zimbabwe.
The Liverpool man was lively in the first-half before fading after the break but he converted the decisive spot-kick in clinical fashion after the controversial award.
The Guatemalan ref pointed to the spot deep into second-half stoppage time after a shot struck a sliding defender on the arm.
A brief VAR review followed with TV audiences not shown the offence.
Four minutes of additional time were allowed but SEVEN had elapsed by the time the Reds forward scored.
Mane was allowed to step up and slammed it to the keeper’s right to earn his country three points in the Group B opener.
Senegal boasted Paris Saint-Germain stars Idrissa Gueye and Abdou Diallo.
And the starting XI also featured Mane’s fellow Prem star Chiekhou Kouyate – of Crystal Palace and formerly West Ham.
Heartbreak for Zimbabwe!
Sadio Mané slots home an added-time penalty to give Senegal the win
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— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 10, 2022
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Senegal dominated the possession with 62 per cent of the ball while the other stats remained somewhat even.
Senegal had 16 shots to Zim’s 11 with three and two on target respectively.
Overall, they looked flat – appearing to suffer as a result of their Covid absentees.
Senegal named QPR stopper Seny Dieng between the sticks after Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy and Rennes’ Alfred Gomis tested positive.
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London-born Kundai Benyu was was injured for Zim as his country nearly kept their first ever Afcon clean sheet.
And boss Mazepa had more injury problems to contend with as he was forced to make another change late on as Tigere replaced Musona.
The Warriors’ captain fell to the turf injured and physios immediately rushed to the pitch to carry him off on a stretcher.
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