AFCON 2023: When Lions Roar

Senegal vs Cameroon

Now here’s a high-profile showdown between two African heavyweights to kick AFCON 2024 into life – it if hasn’t quite reached the heights you expected so far.

Senegal (ranked 20^th in the world) versus Cameroon (46^th), the holders against the nation which made generations of football romantics dream, the Lions of Teranga against the Indomitable Lions.

I watched Senegal at the World Cup where they reached the last 16 but lacked a cutting edge in the absence of their talisman Sadio Mane, but he is now available and, as the defending champions of the Africa Cup of Nations – they beat Egypt in the final two years ago – they will be keen to win again.

Cameroon, meanwhile, suffered heartbreak at their home tournament two years ago, losing to Egypt on penalties in the semi-finals. They did recover to claim third place, again on penalties, but it was a question of what could have been for that crop of players and the class of 2024 will have a point to prove.

Talking Points

The five-time champions/ latest journey in AFCON began in underwhelming fashion this week when they needed a second half equaliser to rescue a point against 10-man Guinea.

By contrast, Senegal got their defence off to the perfect start with a 3-0 victory over the minnows of Gambia, secured through goals from Pape Gueye and Lamine Camara (two).

It means Senegal know victory in this encounter will all but seal their qualification to the knockout stages.

They are without the services of Boulaye Dia and Middlesbrough goalkeeper Seny Dieng at AFCON so called up Lorient duo Bamba Dieng and Alfred Gomis as late replacements.

They certainly appeared to come through that routine victory on Monday without any issues, although it remains to be seen if midfield duo Pape Matar Sarr and Idrissa Gueye will have recovered in time from injuries they sustained last month.

The personnel situation is not clear cut for Cameroon either.

Andre Onana is in contention to start in goal after he opted to play for Manchester United last weekend. Onana’s cousin Fabrice Ondoa actually started between the posts on Monday but will surely make way here.

The Cameroon Football Federation was prepared to be flexible having persuaded Onana to come out of international retirement and help their qualifying campaign in September. The keeper ended his international career in 2022 following a dispute and had not expected to be involved in the tournament when he signed from Inter Milan last summer.

It’s unclear if influential captain Vincent Aboubakar will be ready to return from a thigh injury sustained during training last week.

History

You can usually expect a roar when the Lions of Teranga and the Indomitable Lions clash but with Cameroon struggling, drawing their last three in a row (against Libya, Zambia and 10-man Guinea), it’s hard to bet against Senegal who have only lost to them once since 2005.

That was in the quarter-finals of this tournament in 2017 when Cameroon won 5-4 on spot-kicks after a goalless draw. That is the only time they have beaten Senegal in their last six AFCON meetings.

These teams last met in a friendly in October when Mane netted the game’s only goal.

None of the last nine meetings, in all competitions, have finished with more than two goals.

In fact, that goes back to the African Friendship Cup in 1982 when Cameroon won 2-1.

Overall, Senegal have six victories, Cameroon five and there have been three draws.

Their inaugural meeting came in the French Colonial Tournament in Dakar, a contest Senegal won 1-0.

Betting Tip

Cameroon are expected to progress from the group with the SBOTOP AFCON betting odds, yet @ 4.30 they are way behind favourites Senegal @ 1.30.

Guinea @@ 10.00 and Gambia @ 51.00 are rank outsiders, although there is a chance for third-placed sides to go through to the knockout stages.

That is reflected in the odds in this match-up too.

Senegal are priced 1X2 @ 1.94 and First Half 1X2 @ 2.55, with Cameroon on offer 1X2 @ 3.71 and First Half 1X2 @ 4.71.

With Asian Handicap odds, attractive options include Senegal -0.75 @ 2.23 and Cameroon +0.25 @ 2.16.

The draw is tempting @ 2.81.

Considering that, you may want to lean more towards total goal 0-1 @ 2.31, than 2-3 @ 1.96 and 4-6 @ 4.97.

Senegal have won four and drawn one of their last five matches, while Cameroon have won one, lost one and drawn three.

I do think Senegal will be the team to enjoy AFCON highlights.

 

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