Mane leads Senegal to 2022 African Cup qualification

Senegal became first team to qualify for 2022 African Cup of Nations with Sadio Mane scoring in a 1-0 win over Guinea-Bissau on Sunday.

Senegal w has a maximum 12 points from four games in Group I and is guaranteed one of two qualifying places from group.

Mane's winner came with just eight minutes left in Guinea-Bissau.

Guinea-Bissau had been down to 10 men since 64th minute, when Jorge Bura Braima was sent off for a second yellow card.

Liverpool forward Mane was also on target with opening goal, a penalty, in Senegal's 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau in Senegal on Wednesday.

Senegal lost to Algeria in final of last Cup of Nations in Egypt last year, extending its long wait for a first African title. next edition in Cameroon was meant to be played next year but was moved back to January-February 2022 because of coronavirus pandemic.

Defending champion Algeria, Ghana and Tunisia have all won three games from three in qualifying and could follow Senegal into final tournament this week. Algeria plays away in Zimbabwe on Monday. Ghana travels to Sudan and Tunisia to Tanzania on Tuesday.

While Senegal sailed through, Guinea sustained a setback in its campaign on Sunday with a 1-1 draw in Chad, bottom-place team in its group. Naby Keita gave Guinea lead in N’Djamena before Ahmat Abdraman equalized right on halftime.

Guinea leads Group A by a point from Mali, which has played a game less. Those two teams are still favored to qualify from group.

Also on Sunday, Comoros continued a dream run that might see team qualify for its first major tournament. Comoros beat Kenya 2-1 to lead Group G by three points from African giants and record seven-time African Cup winner Egypt. Egypt has played a game less.

Comoros is unbeaten in all four of its games in final qualifying st, which includes holding Egypt to a 0-0 draw at home. It's a remarkable achievement considering tiny Indian Ocean nation has a population of around 800,000 people and won a major qualifying game away from home for first time ever in this campaign. That was a 1-0 win in Togo last vember.

Imae credits: AP