Mane propels Senegal to winning start

Mahrez brace not enough as Zimbabwe hold Algeria

AFP, FRANCEVILLE (GABON): Riyad Mahrez scored twice but Algeria could only draw with outsiders Zimbabwe while Senegal got the first win of the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.
Mahrez put Algeria ahead in the Group B opener in Franceville in south-eastern Gabon but then needed to score a late equaliser to secure a 2-2 draw for one of the tournament favourites.
Senegal, another fancied side thanks to their status as the top-ranked African team in the FIFA rankings, saw Liverpool winger Sadio Mane set them on their way to a 2-0 victory against Tunisia.
That result left them in control of the section while Algeria were left bemoaning a missed opportunity.
A day after hosts Gabon were held to a 1-1 draw by minnows Guinea-Bissau in the capital Libreville as the tournament got underway, there was a sparse crowd as the action moved to the 20,000-seat stadium in Franceville.
Many locals chose to give the games a miss amid calls from opponents of the government in Gabon to boycott the Cup of Nations. Those who were there witnessed a cracking match between Algeria and rank outsiders Zimbabwe, with Mahrez curling in a fine early opener.
The Warriors, whose build-up to the finals was overshadowed by a row over bonuses, quickly equalised when Kudakwashe Mahachi fired in and they then went ahead with a penalty before the half-hour mark scored by Nyasha Mushekwi.
Algeria hit the bar twice in the second half, once through Ramy Bensebaini and then when Elisha Muroiwa struck the frame of his own goal as he attempted to clear a cross. 
They were just eight minutes away from a humiliating defeat before Mahrez drove in from 20 yards to make it 2-2.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe coach Callisto Pasuwa was delighted to see his side prove they could mix it with the continent’s supposed finest.
Mane came third in the African player of the year awards behind winner Mahrez and Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
And after those two had scored in their countries’ opening games, Mane followed their example by getting the breakthrough against Tunisia.
He sent Tunisian goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi the wrong way from the spot after Aymen Abdennour had brought down Cheikhou Kouyate.
Kara Mbodj then soared above the Tunisian defence to head home from a corner and make it 2-0 on the half-hour.
Mbodj struck his own bar in the second half while Ismaila Sarr nearly added to Senegal’s lead, hitting the frame of the goal with a cross.

Mane propels Senegal to winning start

Mahrez brace not enough as Zimbabwe hold Algeria

AFP, FRANCEVILLE (GABON): Riyad Mahrez scored twice but Algeria could only draw with outsiders Zimbabwe while Senegal got the first win of the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday. Mahrez put Algeria ahead in the Group B opener in Franceville in south-eastern Gabon but then needed to score a late equaliser to secure a 2-2 draw for one of the tournament favourites. Senegal, another fancied side thanks to their status as the top-ranked African team in the FIFA rankings, saw Liverpool winger Sadio Mane set them on their way to a 2-0 victory against Tunisia. That result left them in control of the section while Algeria were left bemoaning a missed opportunity. A day after hosts Gabon were held to a 1-1 draw by minnows Guinea-Bissau in the capital Libreville as the tournament got underway, there was a sparse crowd as the action moved to the 20,000-seat stadium in Franceville. Many locals chose to give the games a miss amid calls from opponents of the government in Gabon to boycott the Cup of Nations. Those who were there witnessed a cracking match between Algeria and rank outsiders Zimbabwe, with Mahrez curling in a fine early opener. The Warriors, whose build-up to the finals was overshadowed by a row over bonuses, quickly equalised when Kudakwashe Mahachi fired in and they then went ahead with a penalty before the half-hour mark scored by Nyasha Mushekwi. Algeria hit the bar twice in the second half, once through Ramy Bensebaini and then when Elisha Muroiwa struck the frame of his own goal as he attempted to clear a cross. They were just eight minutes away from a humiliating defeat before Mahrez drove in from 20 yards to make it 2-2. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe coach Callisto Pasuwa was delighted to see his side prove they could mix it with the continents supposed finest. Mane came third in the African player of the year awards behind winner Mahrez and Gabons Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. And after those two had scored in their countries opening games, Mane followed their example by getting the breakthrough against Tunisia. He sent Tunisian goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi the wrong way from the spot after Aymen Abdennour had brought down Cheikhou Kouyate. Kara Mbodj then soared above the Tunisian defence to head home from a corner and make it 2-0 on the half-hour. Mbodj struck his own bar in the second half while Ismaila Sarr nearly added to Senegals lead, hitting the frame of the goal with a cross.