Sadio Mane lived up to his starring role in the team as he helped Senegal begin their quest for a first Africa Cup Nations (AFCON) title on the right note as his last gap spot kick earned the Lions of Teranga a narrow 1-0 win over a valiant Zimbabwe in a Group B opening match played at the Kouekong Stadium in Bafoussam, Cameroon.The game looked set to end with a point apiece but a late penalty awarded changed everything with the unconvincing Senegal lucky to escape with all the three points as Zimbabwe were heartbroken in the match.FULL-TIME! ⏰#TeamSenegal 1⃣-0️⃣ #TeamZimbabwe With a killer goal by Sadio Mané in the dying minutes of the match, the #LionsofTeranga secure their first three points. 💪#TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 | #AFCON2021 | #SENZWE pic.twitter.com/hmAzL0xl5S— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 🏆 (@CAF_Online) January 10, 2022 First HalfThe Lions of Teranga were quick to show their intent in the match as they quickly raced off the blocks with incessant attempts aimed at Zimbabwe’s goal in the early exchanges of the game.However, precision was missing for the Aliou Cisse-coached side and their attempts frustratingly failed to yield anything despite the team carving out the most clear cut chances and appearing as the better side in the first half session.After a dominant opening quarter of an hour, the Senegalese ought to, at least, have found the opening goal in a five minute period of sustained pressure but neither Bayern Munich defender Bouna Sarr nor Liverpool ace Sadio Mane could find the back of the net.On the 20th minute, Sarr should have made the most of his attempt when his cute run behind the defense was spotted by a clever pass from Mane but it was not to be.#TeamSenegal and #TeamZimbabwe are really going for it! 🔥#TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 | #AFCON2021 | #SENZWE pic.twitter.com/bRiBZZGBjA— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 🏆 (@CAF_Online) January 10, 2022 Three minutes later, marksman Mane should have led his country into celebrating their opening goal of the tournament as he made one of his idiosyncratic weaving runs into the box but his low powerful drive was comfortably smothered by Petros Mhari in the Warriors goal to keep the deadlock intact.While Senegal kept all the possession, a rattled Zimbabwe sat back and absorbed all the pressure as they looked to hit on the counter which they did on a couple of attempts but just failed to find the telling touch in the final third as they appeared to grow in confidence and stature as the game progressed.By the time the whistle was blown for the breather, it is Zimbabwe who would be the happier of the two as the game went into the break levelled at 0-0.HALF TIME ⏸️#TeamSenegal 0-0 #TeamZimbabwe The first half ends with no goals for either side ❌🤔 Who will break the deadlock first ❔#AFCON2021 | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 | #SENZWE pic.twitter.com/QacAn4mDSE— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 🏆 (@CAF_Online) January 10, 2022 Second HalfUnlike the first period, Senegal largely looked out of sync in the second half as their levels slightly dipped. That dropdown proved a welcome sign for the Warriors who certainly had their tails up as they looked more and comfortable.With no clear cut opportunities, the half’s clearest chance came in the 75th minute when Senegal sprung forward on a counter attack but intervention from goalkeeper Mhari snapped up any danger to maintain the scores at 0-0 during the one time Zimbabwe had been left defenseless.With six minutes left on the clock, Teenage Hadebe should have stolen the lead for Zimbabwe but his unconvincing touch failed to punish the Senegal who had time to snatch all the three points with late late drama.With less than thirty seconds to go, centre referee Mario Ecobar awarded a penalty to Senegal upon judging that the ball was handled in the area, Mane stepping up and blasting into the net to seal the win with the last touch of the game.