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African friendly results: Morocco dispatch Senegal, Tunisia thump Sudan

Tunisia downed Sudan 3-0 in an eye-catching performance during Friday’s friendly encounters, while Morocco beat Senegal 3-1 in one of the day's late kick-offs.

Elsewhere, The Gambia saw off Congo-Brazzaville and Burkina Faso thumped the Democratic Republic of Congo 3-0.

The Teranga Lions, finalists at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, may have been without Sadio Mane following his positive coronavirus test, but their supporters will have been disappointed with how they folded against an excellent Atlas Lions side.

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Achraf Hakimi set up Selim Amallah for the opener after 10 minutes, before the goalscorer then set up Youssef En-Nesyri for the North Africans' second in the 71st minute.

Youssef El-Arabi added a third for Morocco four minutes from time, beofre Ismaila Sarr pulled one back for Senegal two minutes later.

Hakimi was the Lions' star performer, thriving on the right side of Vahid Halilhodzic's 3-4-3 formation, operating in the role he's set to play for new club Internazionale this season.

Tunisia's Carthage Eagles, who meet Nigeria in another friendly bout next week, tore into a 3-0 lead in the first half against North-East Africans with a sensational 45 minutes of attacking football.

Saif-Eddine Khaoui opened the scoring in the 17th minute after an assist from Wahbi Khazri, before Ali Maaloul doubled Tunisia’s advantage eight minutes later with a diving header from close range following a superb cross from the right flank from the Saint-Etienne playmaker again.

10 minutes later, debutant Anis Ben Slimane added a third to cap off a rampant half, although Tunisia lost their momentum after the break, and were unable to add to their advantage at the Olympique Hamadi Agrebi in Rades.

Sudan, ranked 128th in the world, will be delighted to have kept their opponents at bay in the second half, but were thoroughly outclassed during the opening 45 minutes.

The North Africans meet Nigeria in Klagenfurt, Austria on October 12, while Sudan are set to meet Togo.

Also on Friday, Burkina Faso thumped the Democratic Republic of Congo following goals from Bertrand Traore, Bryan Dabo and Issoufou Dayo.

Traore’s header following an assist from Abdul Razack Traore opened the scoring in the 14th minute, before Dabo struck from the spot in the 68th minute.

Dayo added a third four minutes from time to round off a resounding win for the West Africans, who were one of the biggest names to miss out on the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

In the Algarve, Portugal, Assan Ceesay’s second-half goal was enough for The Gambia, who have enjoyed significant improvement over recent years, to defeat Congo-Brazzaville 1-0.

Also on Friday, Kenya's Harambee Stars shocked Zambia in a 2-1 win at Nyayo National Stadium on Friday in a friendly meeting.

Cliff Nyakeya's strike and an own goal by Tandi Mwape handed Francis Kimanzi’s side the victory while a late goal by Emmanuel Chabula denied the East Africans a home clean sheet.

Chabula should have added a second for Chipolopolo when the ball appeared to have definitely crossed the line, although the referees refused to give the goal to Zambia.

On Thursday, South Africa and Namibia played out a 1-1 draw, while the Ivory Coast held Belgium to the same scoreline after Franck Kessie’s effort cancelled out Michy Batshuayi’s opener.

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