Senegal started their African Nations Championship Title Defense on Tuesday evening with a 1-0 win over Nigeria.
The late strike of Christian Gomis lifted the lions of Teranga along a matte super Eagles side at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar City.
Nigeria, who first appeared at the tournament since 2018, came to the game in the hope of a strong return, but it didn't go as planned.
Although they enjoyed superior ball in the first half, the Super Eagles managed to have only one shot on goal when Sikiru Alimi forced a rescue from goalkeeper Marc Diouf.
On the other hand, the duo of Libasse Gueye and Daouda obtained a threat, but their efforts did not succeed in hitting the target.
With 15 minutes to go, the men of coach Souleymane Diallo found the breakthrough when Gomis Koite made a lack of communication in the Nigerian back line.
The striker quietly hit the ball in an empty just after receiving a pass from Super-sub Moctar Koita, to the fear of coach Chelle and his technical crew.
Despite a late rally from the Nigerians, they could not find an equalizer. They now hope to return to winning ways on 12 August when they are facing Sudan in Zanzibar.
In the meantime, a victory for Senegal against Congo would secure their place in the quarterfinals.
“The players are careful with their mission and our achievements that are last time -out, only serves as a source of motivation for us,” had coach Diallo said before the game.
“Entering this competition as defensive champions does not add pressure to us, as many may think. We have won the previous trophy and this is in our cabinet.
“We prefer the feeling that we have been given responsibility and we are ready to face the reality of our status.”
“We are not here to defend the trophy in our custody, we have come to try to win a new trophy, but for that we have to set the first goal that is eligible from the group,” he continued.
“Nowadays African football does not provide teams to be classified as favorites. That is why we respect all teams in our group.
“Sudan, Congo or Nigeria all have players who have earned the right to be in this competition. They are all good and respected by us.”