Konate brace gives Senegal coach winning debut

JOHANNESBURG: Substitute Moussa Konate scored twice as Senegal confirmed their dominance over Ghana with a 2-1 friendly international victory in France on Saturday.
Konate replaced recalled Demba Ba just past the hour mark and struck twice within 11 minutes as the Teranga Lions repeated a 2-1 win over the Black Stars at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
Switzerland-based Konate brought his impressive club form to the Stade Oceane in the northern city of Le Havre having scored 11 goals in 17 appearances for Sion this season.
Senegalese success meant a winning debut for coach and former star Aliou Cisse, who was appointed when French coach Alain Giresse parted with the Lions after a Cup of Nations first-round exit.
The first Konate goal was memorable as he controlled a long clearance with his chest and volleyed the ball over goalkeeper Razak Braimah on 66 minutes.
Sadio Mane set up the second on 76 minutes with a pass across the goalmouth and Konate slipped to the ground as he struck the ball into the far corner.
Another substitute, Emmanuel Boakye, halved the deficit with a close-range headed goal off a cross six minutes from time to set up a tense climax.