Senegal v Zimbabwe: Africa Cup of Nations 2022 – live!

• 12.22pm GMT12:22 Senegal v Zimbabwe line-ups
• 12.03pm GMT12:03 Group B: Senegal v Zimbabwe

12.22pm GMT12:22

Senegal: Seny Dieng, Mbaye, Cisse, Abdou Diallo, Toure, Bouna Sarr, Kouyate, Idrissa Gueye, Dia, Mane, Balde.

Subs: Habib Diallo, Lopy, Name, N’Diaye, Pape Gueye, Badara Faty.

Zimbabwe: Mhari, Takwara, Hadebe, Bhasera, Chimwemwe, Wadi, Madzongwe, Benyu, Kangwa, Dube, Musona.

Subs: Murwira, Mudimu, Moyo, Kadewere, Tigere, Kamusoko, Mahachi, Muskwe, Muduwa, Shumba, Mapisa.

12.18pm GMT12:18

Norman Mapeza speaks: “We cannot celebrate that some of their players were affected by Covid-19 because many people have lost their lives, I wish all the affected players well,” said the Zimbabwe coach when asked if the outbreak in the Senegal camp increased his side’s chances of getting a result.

Following Zimbabwe’s most recent warm-up game, a scoreless draw with Sudan, Mapeza was asked about the surprise retirement from international football of Khama Billiat last month. “Look, we all respect Khama’s decision but lets not take anything away from these boys,” he said. “If we keep on talking about the players who are not here, I don’t think we will be doing justice for these boys.”

12.09pm GMT12:09

Aliou Cisse speaks: “It’s a difficult and complicated situation,” said the Senegal coach and former Portsmouth and Birmingham City defender of the Covid outbreak in his squad. “We are going to be competitive and those there are going to play for those who are absent. We are still going into the game against Zimbabwe full of confidence.”

12.04pm GMT12:04

Early team news: Senegal will be without Edouard Mendy after the Chelsea goalkeeper tested positive for Covid-19 since linking up with the squad. Napoli central defender Kalidou and Alanyaspor striker Famara Diedhiou are also out with the virus which has also sidelined Pape Sarr, Nampalys Mendy and Mame Thiam. The upshot is that Senegal coach Aliou Cisse has just 17 players available for this opening game.

While Zimbabwe have a clean bill of health in terms of Covid, they are without Marvelous Nakamba for this tournament. The Aston Villa midfielder is expected to be out for at least another two months after undergoing successful knee surgery three weeks ago. Winger Khama Billiat is also absent, having shocked the nation by announcing his retirement for reasons that remain shrouded in mystery last month.

12.03pm GMT12:03

The 20,000-capacity Kouekong Stadium in the suburbs of Bafoussam, a city in the west highlands of Cameroon, is the setting for today’s Group B opener. Currently rated the 20th best side in the world Fifa, Senegal are favourites to beat a Zimbabwe team ranked 101 places below them in the footballing pecking order as they attempt to go one better than their defeat at the hands of Algeria in the final of this competition three years ago.

However, the Lions of Teranga may not have it all their own way as they go about trying to win the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time, as injuries and an outbreak of Covid in the camp has left them without several key players.

Zimbabwe’s ambitions are less lofty and they come into the tournamenet hoping to avoid a third consecutive group stage exit. “I am more that happy,” said their coach, Norman Mapeza ahead of today’s game. “We are ready. We just have to go there with maximum concentration and a positive mind. It’s all about mental strength and that is what I have been telling the guys. Any result is achievable in football.”

Kick-off in Bafoussam is at 1pm (GMT) but stay tuned in the meantime for team news and build-up.