Senegal tops Zimbabwe, books AFCON knockout berth

Senegal entered the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations as one of the favourites to lift its first continental crown, and after Thursday's one-sided victory over Zimbabwe, that prediction appears a prescient one.

Courtesy of first-half goals from Sadio Mane and Henri Saivet, Aliou Cisse's Lions of Teranga are the first side to book a spot in the knockout stage after topping The Warriors 2-0 in Franceville.

After Algeria's dire display in defeat to neighbours Tunisia earlier in the day, Senegal came into the clash with minnow Zimbabwe knowing a victory would be enough to make the Lions the first side to qualify for the knockout stage.

Courtesy of an opening interval rife with incessant attacks from an accomplished frontline, Senegal got exactly that.

Ten minutes in, Newcastle's on-loan Saint-Etienne standout Henri Saivet found a streaking Keita Balde on the edge of the area before the Lazio attacker picked out Liverpool stud Sadio Mane's far post run for a straightforward finish.

Senegal wouldn't have to wait long for a second.

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Saivet made it 2-nil minutes later after Keita was brought down amid a menacing run, leaving the Bordeaux academy product to slot home a curling right-footed effort.

As menacing as Saivet and Keita were on opposing wings bookending Premier League pair Cheikhou Kouyate and Idrissa Gueye, Mane and robust Stoke City striker Mame Biram Diouf were imposing in attacking positions.

For Senegal, there are stars all over the pitch and on the bench, with Napoli stud Kalidou Koulibaly manning a centre-half role, and Angers star Cheikh Ndoye and Fenerbahce striker Moussa Sow pining for a substitute's role.