Senegal booked their place in the next round of the Africa Cup of Nations after a hard-fought win that once again underlined the value of their experienced spine, with Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy standing out as key figures.
Koulibaly led the back line with authority throughout the contest, reading danger early and winning crucial duels as Senegal protected their advantage. His calm approach helped the team control long spells, especially when the pressure increased after the break.
At the other end, Mendy produced a series of important saves at decisive moments, keeping Senegal in front when the opponents pushed for an equaliser. The goalkeeper’s positioning and quick reactions ensured the score stayed in Senegal’s favour in a game where small margins mattered.
The match also attracted attention in Saudi Arabia, as a major talking point was the clear dip suffered by the “Union tank” following the drop in form of Karim Benzema. The French striker, who has been linked with returning to action after injury issues, remains at the centre of debate as his struggles have coincided with Al Ittihad’s recent problems.
Senegal, however, stayed focused on the task, managing the tempo and dealing with late waves of attacks with discipline. With Koulibaly organising and Mendy delivering when needed, the reigning African champions once again looked like a side built to handle tournament pressure.
The result confirmed Senegal’s strong position in the competition, while the performances of Koulibaly and Mendy offered another reminder of why they remain among the most reliable names on the Afcon stage.
