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Senegal begin their Africa Cup of Nations title defence on January 15 when they face Gambia in the day’s opening match at the tournament.
The Lions of Teranga secured their first AFCON title in 2021 as Sadio Mane’s spot-kick secured a dramatic penalty-shootout win over rivals Egypt in Cameroon.
Aliou Cisse’s side have been tipped as potential favourites to retain their trophy after being paired in Group C alongside Cameroon, Guinea and Gambia. The other two sides meet later on Monday.
With Nigeria, Ghana and Egypt all failing to impress in their opening games, Senegal could lay down a marker today against a team 106 places below them in the FIFA rankings.
The Sporting News will be following the Senegal vs. Gambia match live, providing score updates, commentary, and highlights as they happen.
MORE: Where to watch Senegal vs Gambia
Senegal vs Gambia live score
| 1st Half | Goal scorers | |
| Senegal | 0 | |
| Gambia | 0 |
Confirmed lineups:
Senegal (4-3-3, right to left): E. Mendy (GK) — Diatta, Koulibaily, Niakhate, Jakobs — Camara, A. Diallo, P. Gueye — I. Sarr, H. Diallo, Mane.
Gambia (4-2-3-1 right to left): Gaye (GK) — Janko, Gomez, Colley, Touray — Adams, Manneh — Barrow, Darboe, Minteh — Sowe
MORE: The Golden Boot race at the Africa Cup of Nations
Senegal vs Gambia live updates, highlights, and commentary
2 mins: An early save for Mendy in the Senegal goal as Alasana Manneh lets fly from outside the box. It’s a fairly comfortable stop, but the ball was well struck.
Kickoff
Here we go! Senegal get the ball rolling amid the soundtrack of a vibrant cheering section.
15 mins prior to kickoff: Yankuba Minteh is warming up with his Gambia teammates. The 19-year-old, on loan at Feyenoord from Newcastle United, is making his senior tournament debut here. Kickoff is coming up!
30 mins prior to kickoff: Al Nassr have wished luck to their star man.
First mission in #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 🙌
Good luck to our star Sadio Mané with his national team 🇸🇳 pic.twitter.com/yi18xRRr2G
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) January 15, 2024
Team news
There’s no Nicolas Jackson in attack for Senegal, with the Chelsea striker on the bench. Instead, Al Shabab’s Habib Diallo leads the line, alongside Sadio Mane and Ismaila Sarr.
For Gambia, all eyes will be on Musa Barrow, the No. 10 lining up on the same side of the field as Mane and with plenty of pressure on his shoulders.
Looking good.. ✨
📍 Stade Charles Konan Banny ready to host the reigning champions 🏟️#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 | #SENGMB pic.twitter.com/RCCf6nsJHl
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 15, 2024
1 hour 30 mins prior to kickoff: Senegal are the second-highest-ranked team at this year’s AFCON, behind only World Cup semifinalists Morocco. There is undoubtedly pressure on them to perform, especially with some of the other early favourites struggling. That said, Gambia reached the quarterfinals two years ago and have posed problems for Senegal in previous meetings, holding them to two draws in World Cup 2010 qualifying.
2 hours prior to kickoff: With the likes of Ghana and Nigeria failing to impress in their opening games, can Senegal stake an early claim to be AFCON favourites?
— Football Senegal (@FootballSenegal) January 12, 2024
Senegal vs Gambia lineups, team news
Cisse has the majority of his key stars available for AFCON 2024 with Premier League duo Moussa Niakhate and Idrissa Gana Gueye providing experience alongside an attack featuring Mane. Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson starts their opener on the bench, as does Everton’s Gueye.
Senegal (4-3-3, right to left): Mendy (GK) — Diatta, Koulibaily, Niakhate, Jakobs — Camara, A. Diallo, Gueye — I. Sarr, H. Diallo, Mane.
Senegal subs: Gomis, F. Mendy, Seck, I. Gueye, N. Mendy, Jackson, Kouyate, Ciss, Ndiaye, P. Sarr, Diaw, Sima
Gambia’s squad features players at clubs across the world and Saudi Pro League attacking duo Assan Ceesay and Musa Barrow are the key players. Ceesay starts on the bench, though.
Gambia (4-2-3-1 right to left): Gaye (GK) — Janko, Gomez, Colley, Touray — Adams, Manneh — Barrow, Darboe, Minteh — Sowe
Gambia subs: Jobe, Barry, Ngum, Marr, Fadera, Ceesay, Sanyang, Sundberg, J. Mendy, M. Sanneh, Badamosi, B. Sanneh
Senegal vs Gambia live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this AFCON 2024 match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | BeIN Sports | Fubo, BeIN Sports Connect, Fanatiz |
| Canada | BeIN Sports |
BeIN Sports Connect, Fanatiz, Fubo Canada |
| UK | Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports Main Event | Sky GO, Now TV |
| Australia | BeIN Sports 1 | BeIN Sports Connect |
| India | — | FanCode |
