Sadio Mane scores, assists as Senegal claim ANC's first victory

Liverpool's Sadio Mane scored one and made another as Senegal beat Tunisia 2-0 to go top of African Nations Cup Group B.

After Algeria and Zimbabwe had drawn in the opening match of the pool and draws in the first two matches in Group A, Senegal claimed the first win of the tournament.

Mane scored from the penalty spot before delivering a corner from which Kara Mbodji netted.

Senegal had a 100 percent record in qualifying for the finals and are the highest ranked African team in FIFA's world rankings, at 33.

But they have one win from six matches in the last two tournaments, so few knew what to expect.

With Mane up front in a star-studded team, much is expected of Senegal, whose best finish is runners-up in 2002.

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That was the year they played at the World Cup finals, with Aliou Cisse as captain. He was coach at Stade de Franceville in Gabon.

Aymen Abdennour brought down Cheikhou Kouyate as he latched on to Mane's pass. And Mane converted from the penalty spot after 10 minutes.

Senegal had a second after 30 minutes when Mane centred a set-piece and Mbodji leapt to meet it, sending in a powerful header.

Tunisia had plenty of opportunities, too, with Naim Sliti pulling the strings.

Wahbi Khazri and Ahmed Akaichi went close before Syam Ben Yousef headed wide.

Youssef Msekni had another opportunity, but time and again Tunisia were frustrated by poor finishing and the interventions of Senegal goalkeeper Abdoulaye Diallo.

Tunisia finally found the net in the 90th minute, but Msekni's strike was ruled out for offside as Senegal triumphed.