In contrast to what we have seen so far in the Ivory Coast, it was a match of few clear-cut chances with neither side overly committed to attack. It was no surprise when Seck’s opener came from a set-piece before Ndiaye provided a neat finish.

Senegal top the pool with nine points, followed by Cameroon on four as they edged Guinea on goals scored. The latter will also advance as one of the best third-placed teams.

Senegal, who have been finalists in the last two editions and won in 2021, had coach Aliou Cisse back in the dugout after he spent the night in hospital with an infection following their victory over Cameroon in their previous match.

Senegal’s goals came from their only two efforts on target, while Guinea had only one, a late effort that forced a good save from goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

Cisse will be delighted his side put up another stout defensive display as they conceded only once in the pool stages, scoring eight goals themselves.

Sadio Mane had an off day but had an excellent chance to break the deadlock just before the hour-mark as he raced clear on goal, rounded Guinea goalkeeper Ibrahim Kone but skewed his shot at an empty net horribly wide.

It was a goal the 31-year-old would have expected to score and there was a look of disbelief on his face that he could not find the back of the net.

Senegal did not have to wait much longer for the opener though as Seck stole a march on the Guinea defence from a Krepin Diatta free-kick and powerfully headed into the net on 61 minutes.

Mane thought he had a second in the final 10 minutes, but he was well offside and the goal was ruled out, before substitute Ndiaye found a space in the box and coolly doubled the Senegal advantage.