Champions Senegal began their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with victory over 10-man underdogs The Gambia.
Pape Gueye gave the Teranga Lions the ideal start, collecting Sadio Mane’s pass to fire in a fourth-minute opener from inside the penalty area.
Cardiff City midfielder Ebou Adams was dismissed for The Gambia for an off-the ball challenge just before half-time.
Lamine Camara doubled Senegal’s lead with a low finish after the break and curled in a classy third from distance.
Senegal will return to Yamoussoukro’s Charles Konan Banny Stadium to meet Cameroon in their second group-stage match on Friday.
Tom Saintfiet’s Gambia will attempt to end a run of three successive defeats against Guinea – the team they beat to reach the quarter-finals against the odds at Afcon 2021 – in the subsequent game at the same venue.
