The Teranga Lions left it late to score the match-winner from the spot through Liverpool star Sadio Mane.
It was never an easy start for the tournament favourite, Senegal. The last edition finalist struggled but triumph 1-0 over Zimbabwe in their Group B opening game of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday.
The Teranga Lions camp was hit heavily with COVID-19 outbreak and hence only able to name six substitutes. Senegal played without goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and captain Kalidou Koulibaly, who were among a group of players ruled out for the game after testing positive for the coronavirus.
After struggling throughout the game to break down the resilient defence of Zimbabwe, Senegal were awarded a last-gasp penalty after the referee adjudged that Kelvin Madzongwe had handled the ball in his box very deep into stoppage-time.
Zimbabwe protested vehemently but referee Mario Escobar of Guatemala stuck by his decision after referring to VAR. Madzongwe had thrown himself to the ground trying to block a shot and the ball struck his arm.
Mane stepped up and blasted home the only goal of the game with the last kick of the game as he sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and drilled the penalty into the left corner after Senegal produced a misfiring first performance in Cameroon for much of the game.
Senegal lost in the final to Algeria at the last African Cup in 2019 and is still searching for its first African title.
MOLATsportgist 