Two goals from Lamine Camara following an early strike from Pape Gueye has enabled Senegal to avoid the setbacks suffered by fellow contenders Egypt and Nigeria, and begin their Africa Cup of Nations title defence with a victory.
Egypt and Nigeria were both hekd to unexpected draws on Sunday, and Ghana suffered a shock defeat, but on Tuesday Senegal won 3-0 in Yamoussoukro against a Gambia side reduced to ten men shortly before half-time.
Marseille midfielder Gueye put the 2021 champions ahead just four minutes in. Camara doubled their lead seven minutes after the break, and wrapped up victory in style with a stunning curling strike in the closing stages.
Senegal took the lead when Sadio Mane laid the ball off to Gueye on the edge of the box, who smashed it first time into the bottom corner.
Musa Barrow fired a free-kick from a tight angle into the side-netting for Gambia and compatriot Ali Sowe had a great chance from a corner, but the cross was slightly too high as his header flashed wide.
After Cardiff midfielder Ebou Adams was shown a red card eight minutes into first-half stoppage-time the Teranga Lions took full advantage.
Ismaila Sarr played Camara through and he tucked the ball into the bottom corner to extend their lead. Camara capped off the afternoon in the 86th minute when Iliman Ndiaye weaved past the Gambia defence to find the Metz midfielder, who bent the ball first time into the top right-hand corner from 25 yards out to seal victory.
