Lamine Camara has cited the influence of Sadio Mane as a key part of his Man of the Match performance in Senegal’s 3-0 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Group C clash with neighbours the Gambia on Monday.
The 20-year-old reigning Young African Player of the Year scored a brace to give the Teranga Lions a brilliant start in their quest to defend the title they won in Cameroon two years ago.
Camara is making his AFCON bow after impressing for the country at the 2022 African Nations Championship and the 2023 U-20 AFCON which they won.
“I am happy with this recognition. This is the result of the hard work that we all did. Winning the first match remains a good thing,” Camara said in reaction to this Man of the Match award.
“I am pleased after scoring a brace in the match, and I must remain focused now on the rest of the matches. I am pleased to participate in such a tournament with the first team and to be in the company of senior players such as Sadio Mane and others. These players are the ones who helped me stand out.”
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Senegal’s young superstar is your TotalEnergies Man of the Match! ????????????#SENGMB | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 | @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/1VkrDg8weH
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 15, 2024
Senegal coach Aliou Cisse speaking on Camara said: “Lamine Camara is a young player, and his time has come. He scored two goals against Gambia and gave a distinguished performance on the field. The young player must be trusted and developed.”
The Teranga Lions will be looking to book their spot in the knockout phase when they face five-time AFCON champions Cameroon in Yamoussoukro on Friday.
