As the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group C concludes, defending champions Senegal are set to clash with Guinea in a highly-anticipated encounter that could determine the final standings.
Guinea, currently occupying the second spot in the group, earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Gambia, putting them in a strong position to progress to the knockout stage with a mere avoidance of defeat against Senegal.
However, history favors Senegal in this matchup, with Guinea losing three of their last five head-to-head encounters.
The most recent meeting at AFCON ended in a goalless draw two years ago, hinting at a potential low-scoring affair. Guinea’s defensive prowess, boasting two clean sheets in their last three outings, adds to their confidence in securing a positive result to ensure progression.
Senegal, already through to the knockout rounds after two convincing victories, remains a formidable force in the competition. The Lions of Teranga have netted exactly three goals in both of their previous matches, including a 3-1 win over Cameroon.
With an impressive defensive record, conceding just one goal in their last six internationals, Senegal enters the clash against Guinea with an unbeaten streak of nine AFCON finals matches.
Players to watch include Guinea’s Naby Keïta, who has scored four goals in his last 11 internationals, and Senegal’s Lamine Camara, who netted a brace on matchday one. Senegal’s ability to score early in matches is highlighted by their four goals within the opening 20 minutes across their last five matches, posing an additional threat to Guinea.
As the two teams square off, the stage is set for a captivating battle between Senegal’s title defense and Guinea’s quest for progression in the AFCON Group C finale.
