Senegal, who were defeated by Cameroon at the 2017 Afcon in Gabon, recorded a fine 1-0 victory over the indomitables Lions in a friendly match in Lens (France) last Monday.

Three months before the Africa Cup of Nations, where the two countries will meet in the group phase on January  18,  2024, Senegal overpowered Cameroon 1-0 in a friendly in Lens (France) on Monday night. Sadio Mané scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot after 35 minutes. This was after captain Kalidou Koulibaly was fouled in the area by Cameroon defender Oumar Gonzalez following a free-kick from the left.

The goal saw Mané consolidate his position as Senegal’s all-time leading scorer.  The Indomitable Lions, for their part, lacked the inspiration to level the scores. This clash between the Lions lived up to its name in terms of intensity, pace, intent and aggression (4 yellow cards were shown). Senegal won the first leg and there was little to deny the African champions’ dominance.

In a half-full Bollaert-Delelis stadium, the Lions of Teranga were solid and hardworking, largely dominating a Cameroonian side who were inept and clueless. Rigobert Song‘s men, who were largely outplayed in the first half, could have had a penalty in stoppage time after Kalidou Koulibaly’s handball was waved away by the referee.