The African Cup of Nations defending champions the Lions of Teranga has started their mission on a good note after defeating Gambia by three goals to nil on Monday at Stade Charles Konan Banny.

The Senegal squad has embarked on an enticing journey to Ivory Coast to defend their title which they won back in 2021 after defeating Egypt on extra-time penalties shootouts.

The Lions of Teranga started the match on an attacking pace which resulted to an early goal which was by Pape Gueye in the first four minutes of the first-half after receiving a ball from his captain Sadio Mane.

Before the end of the first-half,the Gambians suffered a huge blow when their midfielder Ebou Adams got a red card in an added time,and that red card opened the floods gate for Gambia and gave an advantage to the defending champions.

On a second-half,the Lions of Teranga continued with their intent to dismantle their opponent which helped them to get two more goals which were scored by Lamine Camara on the 52nd and 86th minutes of the game.

Their win against neighbours has enabled them to sit comfortably on top of Group C with three points and without conceding in their opening match.

Who is coaching the Lions of Teranga?

The Lions of Teranga are lucky to be coached by the one only former Senegalese football star Aliou Cisse who was very instrumental for his national during his days on the pitch,he used to play as midfielder and defender.

Cisse is best known for being the first Senegal captain to advance to the African Cup of Nations final back in 2002,few years ago helped his country to win AFCON which was hosted by Cameroon.

He has been on helm of the Senegalese national team since 2015 and during his stay as the head coach has witnessed his team reaching the 2019 AFCON tournament final against Algeria where it was beaten by 1-0.

Two years ago,he led his team to victory at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and that re-ignited his dignity as the coach after he failed twice in previous finals,and right he aims to win for the second time in a row.

The 47-year-old has spent his professional career as a footballer in Europe especially in France where he played for clubs such as Lille,Sedan,Paris Saint German,Montpellier,and then in 2002 he went to England where he played for the likes of Birmingham City and Portsmouth.

He returned to France in 2006 to play for one of his former clubs Sedan and then in 2008 joined Nimes for one season after that he chose to hung his boots.Throughout his career in the club level he scored only 3 goals in 153 appearances and for his national team failed to score even one goal in 35 appearances.

Cameroon dropped two points against Guinea

In another Group C match,Cameroon has dropped two crucial points against Guinea and that has amounted huge pressure for them as now they are trailing behind Senegal which is on top of the Group.

The first goal of the match was scored in the first-half by Mohamed Bayo who was also given a Man of the Match award for his sterling performance which boosted his national morality against the Indomitable Lions.

The Indomitable Lions has fought so hard for the entire second-half seeking an equalising goal against tight and strong defence of Guinea.

Luckily,the Indomitable Lions managed to get an equaliser against ten-man of Guinea,the goal was scored by Frank Magri.

Ghana suffered a humiliating loss against Cape Verde

The Black Stars has started their AFCON campaign in a very disappointing stance after being humiliated by Cape Verde's 2-1 win on Sunday.

The Black Stars' defeat was unexpected because they are classified as one of the favorites who are supposed to contend the AFCON title which is in the hands of the Lions of Teranga.

It was reported that the Ivory Coast police has arrested one of the angriest Ghana's fan for attacking coach Chris Hughton in the premises of the hotel which is reserved for the national team.