Rangers attacker Abdallah Sima was an unused substitute as Senegal lived up to their tag of AFCON favourites with victory over Gambia.
The Brighton loanee, 22, was named on the bench for the nation’s Group C opener in Yamoussoukro, the capital city of the competition’s hosts Ivory Coast.
A talent-strewn Senegal side are expected to be there or thereabouts come the competition’s Final on 11th February with this storming start bad news for Rangers.
Marseille midfielder Papa Gueye cooly slotted home a 4th minute opener with his left foot to give Senegal a dream start to the tournament.
But the star of the show was Brighton and Chelsea-linked Metz midfielder Lamine Camara, who netted a second half double in the match.
The midfielder’s first came after a sweeping attack just seven minutes into the second half, Camara running onto a ball from Ismaila Sarr at the edge of the box before sweeping home.
The highly-rated young Metz talent, 20, then netted a stunner with four minutes to play, curling the ball into the top corner from about 30 yards out after some great play from Iliman Ndiaye.
Gambia also had Ebou Adams sent off in first-half injury time for raking his studs down the back of Camara’s heel.
Abdallah Sima faces Senegal test
Whilst Abdallah Sima will be celebrating Senegal’s opening day victory, it’s clear the Rangers star faces a real test to get minutes for the African side at the tournament.
With Senegal legend and Al-Nassr winger Sadio Mane currently the nation’s starter off the left, the country is blessed with substantial attacking talent.
Marseille attacker Ismaila Sarr started off the right in this match, with Al-Shabab frontman Habib Diallo starting up top.
Iliman Ndiaye – who also plays for Marseille – is another attacking option in the side whilst Chelsea’s Nicholas Jackson came off the bench for the second half.
Abdallah Sima faces Senegal test
Whilst Abdallah Sima will be celebrating Senegal’s opening day victory, it’s clear the Rangers star faces a real test to get minutes for the African side at the tournament.
With Senegal legend and Al-Nassr winger Sadio Mane currently the nation’s starter off the left, the country is blessed with substantial attacking talent.
Marseille attacker Ismaila Sarr started off the right in this match, with Al-Shabab frontman Habib Diallo starting up top.
Iliman Ndiaye – who also plays for Marseille – is another attacking option in the side whilst Chelsea’s Nicholas Jackson came off the bench for the second half.
It means the Brighton loanee – who has scored 15 times for Rangers this season – may well miss up to eight games for the Ibrox side should Senegal maintain this form.
Whilst no-one is begrudging Abdallah his place in this exciting Senegal team, Sima will definitely miss the Scottish Cup clash with Dumbarton and the fifth round of the competition should Rangers win this weekend.
Should Senegal progress to the Final, Sima would also miss Scottish Premiership matches against Hibs (A), St Mirren (A), Livingston (H), and Aberdeen (H).
Matches against St Johnstone (A) and Hearts (H) – although taking place after AFCON 2023 – would also be in doubt as Abdallah Sima recovers from the tournament.
Rangers have previously made it clear he’d like to sign the attacker permanently but Brighton have suggested a deal will have to wait until the summer.
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