African Cup of Nations video: Sadio Mane scores in Senegal win, Algeria close to crashing out

SENEGAL have reached the African Nations Cup quarter-finals for the first time in more than a decade thanks to a goal from Sadio Mane, which Liverpool could rue.

Senegal's forward Sadio Mane.

SENEGAL have reached the African Nations Cup quarter-finals for the first time in more than a decade thanks to a goal from Sadio Mane.

But it could prove to cause his club, Liverpool, headaches in the English Premier League, with the winger now likely to miss the clash with Chelsea on February 1, AEDT.

A 2-0 win over Zimbabwe ensured Sengal top spot in Group B while Riyad Mahrez’s Algeria, who were also among the pre-tournament favourites, are on the verge of an early exit, beaten 2-1 by Tunisia in the group’s other game.

WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM BOTH GAMES IN THE VIDEO ABOVE

The Algerians need to beat Senegal in their final match and hope Tunisia, who meet Zimbabwe, do not secure the point they need to go through as group runners-up.

Senegal had been among the fancied teams in their last three appearances at the tournament, but flopped on each occasion. They last got past the first round in 2006, when they went on to finish fourth.

“The goal today was to qualify, now it’s done,” said coach Aliou Cisse after early goals settled the game.

Senegal celebrate Sadio Mane’s goal.

“In the first game, even when we played badly, we got to win. Today, we played well and won, and we qualified. I’m very proud of the guys, we have to keep going like that.” Liverpool’s Mane took only nine minutes to open the scoring with a simple back post tap-in and Senegal doubled the lead with a sumptuous curling free kick from Henri Saivet four minutes later as Zimbabwe were overwhelmed.

Poor defending cost Algeria against Tunisia as captain Aissa Mandi netted an own goal and defender Faouzi Ghoulam conceded a penalty.

Algeria's defender Rami Bensebaini reacts to the loss.

The ball sliced off the foot of Mandi after 50 minutes before Ghoulam tugged back Wahbi Khazri 14 minutes later and Naim Sliti converted from the spot. “We started very well. But we know that in a game of this level, you should not give away gifts,” said Algeria coach George Leekens.

Sofiane Hanni pulled one back in stoppage time, but Algeria’s fate had already been sealed.

The Democratic Republic of Congo can become the second side to secure a place in the last eight if they upset holders Ivory Coast in Oyem on Friday. The Group C encounter is followed by a meeting between Morocco and Togo.

Originally published as African Cup of Nations video: Sadio Mane scores in Senegal win, Algeria close to crashing out