A solitary first-half strike from Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane helped the Teranga Lions of Senegal to beat the Cranes of Uganda to send them into the quarterfinals of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.

Senegal who has been tagged as one of the favorites to win this year’s continental showpiece faced off with Uganda at the Cairo International Stadium on Friday, July 4, 2019, for one of the 8 round of 16 matches following the conclusion of the group phase of the tournament.

An even first half encounter had loads of attacking play to entertain fans at the stadium and those who watched from their homes from all over the African Continent.

Having shown attacking promise in the early minutes of the game, Uganda fell behind courtesy a classy finish from Senegal’s talisman Sadio Mane. The 2019 UEFA Champions League winner latched onto a through ball and raced into the 18-yard box of the Cranes before firing his shot past the Dennis Onyango.

Uganda danger man Emmanuel Okwi combined with other minutes on several occasions to try and find the equalizer that will draw them level but could not find a way as referee Mustapha Ghorbal whistled to end the first half.

A pulsating second half encounter saw Uganda piling pressure on Senegal but their attack was always thwarted. 15 minutes into the second half, Mane could have increased the lead for his side from the penalty spot but his kick was saved by the giant diving figure of Dennis Onyango.

All efforts from the Uganda to get back into the game proved futile with the match eventually ending 1-0 in favour of Senegal.

Coach Aliou Cisse and his lads have successfully qualified for the last 8 stage of the prestigious tournament. They join Benin who earlier beat North African giants Morocco 4-1 after the penalty shootout.