Senegal’s struggles in front of goal continued as they were held to a barren draw against The Flames of Malawi in the two team’s final Group B encounter played at the Kuekong Stadium in Bafoussam, Cameroon.The 0-0 draw meant the Lions of Teranga are still yet to score from open play in three games despite the team booking their place in the next round after topping the group on 5 points.The draw favoured both teams as Malawi also have a chance to progress to the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams following their impressive display against the underwhelming favourites.FULL-TIME ⏰#TeamMalawi 0-0 #TeamSenegal The Lions of Teranga are off to the knockout-stage! 🔝#TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 | #AFCON2021 | #MWISEN pic.twitter.com/yin5Nw2M7t— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 🏆 (@CAF_Online) January 18, 2022 Prior to the final group match, both sides had an opportunity to advance to the last 16 and only needed to get the results in their favour if they were to join the already qualified Cameroon, Morocco, Nigeria and Burkina Faso.Just seven minutes in, Sadio Mane should have given his side the lead when Bouna Sarr squared the ball to him with a nice cutback into the area but the Liverpool ace tried to be too fancy with his finish as he opted to lob the ball instead of a clean strike, his decision proving ill-judged as the keeper collected comfortably.That would be the only chance that the pre-tournament favourites would have in the first half as the Malawians showed that they wanted it more than their opponents.On the 31st minute, Orlando Pirates forward Gabadinho Mhango had the closest chance for them and he almost gifted The Flames a lead when his free-kick from outside the Senegal box took a wicked deflection and appeared to have the beating of the returning Chelsea star Eduoard Mendy in goal. However, the ball just rolled out for a corner following the touch off the wall much to the relief of the scrambling keeper.The team continued making themselves a nuisance in the closing ten minutes as they heaped pressure but they could not cause any trouble to Mendy despite running behind the Senegal defense time and again, the two teams going into the break with the deadlock intact.HALF-TIME ⏸️#TeamMalawi 0-0 #TeamSenegalWith things tied going into the break, who will score the first of the night? 🤔#TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 | #AFCON2021 | #MWISEN pic.twitter.com/ZaDrYl49mL— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 🏆 (@CAF_Online) January 18, 2022 At the start of the second half, it is the Lions of Teranga who appeared to have been reminded of their supreme ranking. Just three minutes in, Malawi goalkeeper Charles Thomu had to stay alert to deny the AFCON 2019 losing finalists from surging ahead as he kept out Habib Diallo’s goal-bound header to maintain the stalemate.The Aliou Cisse coached side controlled the possession and asserted dominance but could not make anything out of it just yet against a spirited Malawi.Against the run of play, a crucial moment that might have decided the game came with fifteen minutes to time as centre referee Yuven Ngwa awarded Malawi a penalty for Sarr’s pulling that had brought down a Malawi player in the box but the Cameroonian official reneged on his initial decision following VAR intervention much to the relief of the West African side.Senegal 0-0 Malawi. Senegal has scored only one goal in three AFCON matches. This is the team we were warned was going to blow everyone to smithereens. The only thing they’re blowing right now is their noses at the final whistle. Overrated.— Gabriel Oguda (@gabrieloguda) January 18, 2022 With just five minutes left, substitute Famara Diedhiou fashioned a good chance on goal after he plucked an aerial ball from the air with a nice chested control but his swivel turn and shoot chance lacked power and was too central as the keeper collected easily.That would prove to be the final chance as the game ended in the barren draw, a favourable result for both sides that saw Senegal top the group and secure progression with Malawi also likely t advance as one of the best third best-placed teams.
