Senegal edge past Equatorial Guinea in dead rubber clash

by Staff Reporter

Saturday Nov 17, 2018. 20:10

Senegal beat Equatorial Guinea 1-0 in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations dead rubber qualifier at the Estadio de Bata on Saturday.

The Teranga Lions booked their place at next year's showpiece last month alongside group rivals Madagascar, with the match in Bata a mere formality.

The only goal of the game came in the 52nd minute by means of a comical bit of defending from the hosts.

An attempted clearance by Nzalang Nacional cannoned off Luis Meseguer who was flat the floor, following an early attempt to clear from danger, and into the back of his own net for a rather forgettable own goal - Senegal, though, didn't complain.

The rather unfortunate own goal proved to be the difference between the two teams in a match that will be overshadowed by Sadio Mane leaving the pitch in tears.

It is not quite clear why the Liverpool attacker was left rather unconsolable, but Reds fans will be expecting the worse.

Senegal are at home to Madagascar in the final round of qualifying. Equatorial Guinea are away to Sudan next March.