Senegal won their first-ever game at the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, beating Uganda 2-0 in their opening Group A match in Rabat on Sunday, 3 July 2022.
The Lionesses managed to score two goals and did not concede any, due mainly to the huge performance of goalkeeper Tenning Sene.
Sene was a substitute in most of Senegal’s preparation matches ahead of the TotalEnergies WAFCON and was given the nod ahead of their first encounter.
Her coach, Mame Moussa Cissé, expressed his delight, saying: “This tournament is played at the highest level. A team is often only as good as its goalkeeper… and even if at first it was not easy for her and another goalkeeper was the starter during the warm-up games, sometimes you have to make choices. Several factors – including the mind and the management of emotions – tipped the balance in her favour. I congratulate her.”
Speaking on her performance, Sene says: “This victory is a motivation for me and all the players who will not give up anything in this competition. There is no team that can resist us.”
Burkina Faso will be Senegal’s next opponent on Tuesday 5 July at the Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex.
A Tale of Missed Opportunities
It may have ended goalless, but the Zambia and Cameroon grudge match produced plenty of drama.
Zambia had denied the Cameroonians a place at the Tokyo Olympics and the Indomitable Lionesses were in determined mood to exact their revenge.
The two coaches, Gabriel Zabo on the Cameroonian side and Bruce Mwape for Zambia, both opted for attacking 4-3-3 formations, with the Cameroon trio of Michaela Abam, Ajara Nchout Njoya and Gabrielle Aboudi Onguéné all starting the match – a first since they all took the field at the World Cup at France 2019.
Bruce Mwapé had to make up for the absence of Barbara Banda, with Grace Chanda at the forefront of the attack, accompanied by Rachael Zulu and Avell Chitundu more advanced than usual.
Although we expected goals, lots of goals, it was the defence of both teams that shone during this encounter.
The Copper Queens were especially resilient, throwing their bodies on the line to halt the Cameroonians by any means possible.
It was a difficult start to the competition for both teams, who will now be looking for points when Zambia face Tunisia in their next match and when Cameroon face Togo on July 6 in Casablanca.
Tunisia Thump Togo
In the last match on Sunday, Tunisia were ruthless as they ran riot over Togo, securing a 4-1 victory.
Tunisian forward, Sabrine Ellouzi scored a brace and holds the title as the first player at this year’s competition to achieve this feat.
The next for Tunisia will be against Zambia, while Togo face Cameroon. Both matches are scheduled for Wednesday, 6 July.
Results: 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, 3 July
Senegal 2-0 Uganda
Cameroon 0-0 Zambia
Tunisia 4-1 Togo
Fixtures: 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, 4 July
19h00: Nigeria vs South Africa
22h00: Burundi vs Botswana
Photo 1 Caption: Senegal won their first-ever game at the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, beating Uganda 2-0 in their opening Group A match in Rabat on Sunday, 3 July 2022. Photo: CAFWomen (Twitter)
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