We look ahead to Friday’s Group C clash at the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 with our Senegal vs Cameroon prediction and preview.
Senegal vs Cameroon: Pre-Match Facts
- The Opta supercomputer predicts Senegal to be likely victors. The Lions of Teranga won 47.8% of the 10,000 pre-match simulations, with Cameroon taking three points in 27.6% of them.
- Senegal and Cameroon are facing each other for the fifth time at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations. Their only previous meeting in the group stage produced a Senegal victory in 1990 (2-0) while Cameroon have come out on top in their three knockout encounters: 1992 quarter-finals (1-0), 2002 final (0-0 aet, 3-2 pens) and 2017 quarter-finals (0-0 aet, 5-4 pens).
- Only three goals have been scored in the four matches between Senegal and Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations, including none in the last two which both went to extra-time and penalties.
- Senegal’s victory over Gambia meant they won their opening AFCON game for fifth consecutive edition, a joint-record alongside Nigeria between 1976 and 1984. They are looking to win their first two matches of an AFCON since 2017.
- Senegal are unbeaten in eight AFCON games since the start of the last edition in 2022, scoring 12 goals and conceding just two.
- After their 1-1 draw with Guinea, Cameroon have drawn three consecutive Africa Cup of Nations games for the first time since March 1982 and could draw four in a row for the very first time in the competition.
- Senegal have not conceded a single goal in their last five group stage games at the AFCON (W3 D2); they could keep a clean sheet in six consecutive such games in the competition for the first time.
- Cameroon’s Georges-Kévin Nkoudou created seven chances in their draw with Guinea on Matchday 1. Prior to the 2023 edition, the last player to create more chances in a single AFCON game was Burkina Faso’s Charles Kaboré against Ghana in February 2013 (nine).
- Frank Magri’s headed equaliser against Guinea was the 23rd goal in a row for Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations from inside the box (including two penalties), since the Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui and Sébastien Siani both scored from distance in the same game against Guinea-Bissau in January 2017.
- Following their assists (both one) against Gambia, either Sadio Mané (two) or Ismaïla Sarr (two) have assisted four of Senegal’s last five goals at the Africa Cup of Nations.
- Senegal boss Aliou Cissé missed the last penalty in the shootout when his team faced Cameroon in the final of the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations (0-0 aet, 3-2 to Cameroon on penalties).
Match Preview
Two of the last three AFCON winners meet at Charles Konan Banny Stadium on Friday as Senegal face Cameroon in Group C.
Defending champions Senegal impressed in their opening game, dispatching Gambia 3-0 thanks to Pape Gueye’s early opener and a brace from Lamine Camara. Aged 20 years and 14 days, Camara is the youngest Senegalese player to score a goal at the Africa Cup of Nations since Souleymane Camara against Zambia in 2002 (19y, 34d), and the youngest Senegalese ever to score two in an AFCON game. Camara is also the youngest player to score a brace at the Africa Cup of Nations since Tunisia’s Ali Zitouni in 2000 (19y, 32d).
It was the fifth consecutive AFCON tournament that Senegal have won their opening game, a joint-record along with Nigeria (between 1976 and 1984). The Lions of Teranga are looking to win their first two matches of an AFCON since 2017.
Standing in their way are Cameroon, who could only draw their first game against Guinea. Mohamed Bayo put Guinea ahead after 10 minutes, before Frank Magri headed in an equaliser early in the second half.
Goalkeeper André Onana was missing from that game due to only playing for Manchester United in their 2-2 draw with Tottenham the day before, but he should be available to manager Rigobert Song for this one.
Georges-Kévin Nkoudou will likely be crucial for Cameroon’s ability to create chances, having created seven in the draw with Guinea. Prior to this tournament, the last player to create more chances in a single AFCON game was Burkina Faso’s Charles Kaboré against Ghana in February 2013 (nine).
Senegal pair Sadio Mané and Ismaïla Sarr recorded an assist each in their win over Gambia, and have assisted four (two each) of Senegal’s last five goals at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Senegal vs Cameroon Head-to-Head
This will be the fifth time Senegal and Cameroon have faced off at the Africa Cup of Nations. Their only previous meeting in the group stage saw Senegal win 2-0 in 1990, while the Indomitable Lions have won all three knockout clashes; in the 1992 quarter-finals (1-0), 2002 final (3-2 on penalties) and the 2017 quarter-finals (5-4 on pens).
Only three goals have been scored in the four matches between Senegal and Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations, with both of their last two encounters finishing 0-0 after extra-time and heading to penalties.
Senegal vs Cameroon Prediction
The Opta supercomputer considers Senegal to be the favourites, giving Aliou Cissé’s team a 47.8% chance of a win that would seal their passage to the last 16. Cameroon have a 27.6% likelihood of recording their first victory at AFCON 2023, while the draw is rated at 24.6%.
Our pre-tournament predictions had Senegal as the favourites to win the trophy (12.8%), while Cameroon were seventh favourites at 7.4%. It was a good start for Senegal, whose chances of qualifying for the last 16 are already up in the high 90s.
Below are each team’s current, up-to-date chances of progression through AFCON 2023 according to the Opta supercomputer:
Senegal vs Cameroon Squads
Senegal: Mory Diaw, Seny Dieng, Édouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Youssouf Sabaly, Ismail Jakobs, Formose Mendy, Abdoulaye N’Diaye, Abdou Diallo, Fodé Ballo-Touré, Abdoulaye Seck, Moussa Niakhaté, Krépin Diatta, Idrissa Gueye, Pathé Ciss, Cheikhou Kouyaté, Nampalys Mendy, Lamine Camara, Pape Gueye, Pape Sarr, Sadio Mané, Habib Diallo, Nicolas Jackson, Boulaye Dia, Ismaïla Sarr, Iliman Ndiaye, Abdallah Sima.
Coach: Aliou Cissé
Cameroon: André Onana, Fabrice Ondoa, Dévis Epassy, Simon Ngapandouetnbu, Nouhou Tolo, Junior Tchamadeu, Oumar Gonzalez, Darlin Yongwa, Christopher Wooh, Harold Moukoudi, Jean-Charles Castelletto, Enzo Tchato, Malcom Bokélé, Yvan Neyou, Olivier Kemen, Frank Anguissa, Ben Elliott, Wilfried Nathan Douala, Olivier Ntcham, Karl Toko-Ekambi, Frank Magri, Vincent Aboubakar, Moumi Ngamaleu, Faris Moumbagna, Leonel Ateba, Georges-Kévin Nkoudou, Clinton N’Jie.
Coach: Rigobert Song
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