Sadio Mane scored his third of the campaign as Senegal defeated Denis Onyango’s Uganda to advance to the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.
The Liverpool star struck on 15 minutes with a close-range shot after a passing move carved open the Ugandan defence in Cairo.
Mane later missed a penalty – the second time he has fluffed a spot-kick in as many matches – but his three-goal tally from three matches moved him ahead of 11 scorers with two each. In the earlier match Mane’s double helped Senegal beat Kenya in the final group stage match.
Uganda were threatening with their own attacks to get back in to the game and Emmanuel Okwi nearly pulled them level in the 22nd minute with a cracking half-volley from just outside the box that was punched away uncomfortably by shot-stopper Alfred Gomis.
GOOOOAAAL | S. MANE scores a goal for Senegal. Uganda – Senegal 0-1 #TotalAFCON2019 #UGASEN #AFCON2019 @totalkenya #TerangaLions pic.twitter.com/jPES77iEw6
— #TotalAFCON2019 (@TotalAFCON2019E) July 5, 2019
The Lions of Teranga were in control of the match in the closing phases and were able to see out the rest of the game to claim victory and secured a spot in the last eight.
Lack of Spectators still a worry in Afcon
On 18 minutes, Uganda lost centre-back Hassan Wasswa after he injured his left hamstring and Timothy Awany took his place.
Midfielder Khalid Aucho became the third Ugandan to be yellow-carded, for a blatant foul, and Okwi was lucky to escape a second caution and a red card later in the half.
There were more cards than goal attempts on target in the opening 45 minutes, which ended with Senegal comfortably retaining a one-goal advantage.
The match not only lacked goalmouth excitement, but also atmosphere with a crowd of just a few thousand dotted around the 75,000 stadium, where the final will be played on July 19.
Scorching heat, costly tickets and a lack of interest by Egyptians in teams other than their own Pharaohs are some of the reasons for the poor attendances.
Senegal, who are seeking a first Africa Cup of Nations triumph, will meet Benin who stunned Morocco, in the last eight in Cairo on 10 July.