A goal from Sadio Mané (63rd) then a counter by Bamba Dieng at the very end of the match (90th +2) was enough to ensure the presence of the Senegalese in the quarter, where they will cross paths with Mali or Equatorial Guinea.

However, nothing was easy for the Senegalese.

Certainly they entered the match well with the post found by Sadio Mané from the first minute, but they then struggled to break through the lock placed by the Cape Verdeans with minimalist intentions.

But it was an unfortunate fact of the game which reinforced the Senegalese domination: the exclusion of Patrick Andrade after recourse to the VAR for a big sole on Pape Gueye (18th).

Algerian referee Lahlou Benbraham sends a red card to Cape Verde midfielder Patrick Andrade during the round of 16 of the African Cup of Nations against Senegal on January 25, 2022 in Bafoussam (Cameroon) Pius Utomi EKPEI AFP

The Senegalese confiscated the ball from their opponents, but lacked lucidity in the last gesture.

And when their combinations unbalanced the Cape Verdean block, as in a one-two action between Mané and Gana Gueye, the danger was averted in extremis (37th).

The islanders were also able to count on Vozinha's excellent reading of the game, impeccable on his line and also capable of coming out like a libero to relieve his defense.

- Shock between Vozinha and Mané -

While the Teranga Lions were settling into a false rhythm on the way back from the locker room, a new turn of events turned this meeting upside down: on a long clearance from Édouard Mendy (52), goalkeeper Vozinha hit Sadio Mané, the two players immediately finding themselves on the ground, stunned.

The Cape Verdean's uncontrolled exit earned him an exclusion, after consulting the VAR (57th).

Cape Verde goalkeeper Josimar Vozinha leaves the field after being shown a red card for crashing into Senegalese striker Sadio Mané in their round of 16 African Cup of Nations match on January 25, 2022 in Bafoussam (Cameroon) Pius Utomi EKPEI AFP

With two players less, Senegal pushed and was rewarded after two chances miraculously saved by the Cape Verdean defense (61st, 62nd).

It was finally on the next corner that Sadio Mané released the Teranga Lions.

The Liverpool striker, unmarked, unleashed a clean shot under the bar.

Not very successful in this CAN, the striker left his teammates prematurely, having obviously not recovered from his shock with Vozinha.

Senegalese striker Sadio Mané, struggling with Cape Verde defender Steven Fortes, during their round of 16 of the African Cup of Nations, on January 25, 2022 in Bafoussam (Cameroon) Pius Utomi EKPEI AFP

After a sterile domination, Idrissa Gueye, whose low shot grazed the Cape Verdean goal post, missed the break point (84th).

Senegalese striker Bamba Dieng scores the 2nd goal against Cape Verde goalkeeper Marcio Rosa during their round of 16 of the African Cup of Nations on January 25, 2022 in Bafoussam (Cameroon) Pius Utomi EKPEI AFP

It was finally Bamba Dieng, who came on during the match to replace Sadio Mané, who definitively ensured Senegal's victory in added time (90+2).

© 2022 AFP