DEFENDING champions Senegal secured top spot in Group C at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after beating Guinea 2-0 in an ill-tempered encounter.
Abdoulaye Seck headed the Teranga Lions in front from a free-kick and Iliman Ndiaye sealed victory with a fine low finish in the final minute.
Guinea knew they would go through before kick-off and finished third after Cameroon beat The Gambia 3-2.
Senegal progress from the group stage as the only side with a 100% record.
Aliou Cisse’s side will stay in Yamoussoukro and face a third-placed side from Group A or F in the last 16 on Monday, while Guinea will play Group A winners Equatorial Guinea on Sunday in Abidjan.
Results on Monday meant Guinea were guaranteed to go through as one of four best third-placed sides at the very least, and boss Kaba Diawara made several changes to rest players for the knock-out stages.
Both sides were fired up for this West African derby, but there was not a single shot on target in the first half as the teams struggled to create openings.
It was not the most convincing performance from Cisse’s side but, after beating The Gambia and Cameroon convincingly in their first two group games, they effectively dealt with a physical Guinea side.
Senegal remain on track to become the first side to retain the Afcon trophy since Egypt won their third in a row in 2010, while Guinea will aim to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2015.
In the other group match, Cameroon came from behind to score two late goals to reach the last 16 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations by beating The Gambia to knock their opponents out of the tournament.
The five-time champions secured second place in Group C on goals scored.
Rigobert Song’s side will face Nigeria at Abidjan’s Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Saturday (20:00 GMT).
The Scorpions threatened to dash Cameroon’s hopes with a 91st-minute goal before VAR intervened.
