Cape Verde swept past Mozambique 3-0 at the Stade Félix-Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan to record their second success in Group B.
Veteran striker Bebé scored the first in the 32nd minute with a thunderous free-kick from 35 metres.
Ryan Mendes capitalised on some sloppy defending to double the advantage shortly after the restart and Kevin Pina added the third mid way through the second-half.
“I am so proud of my players,” said Cape Verde boss Bubista.
“They applied the instructions perfectly, what makes me even more proud is their behaviour on the pitch. When one loses the ball, another recovers it.
“I liked seeing this solidarity. My players wanted more even after the third goal, they still wanted to score. It’s this competitive spirit that I like.
When Cape Verde take on Egypt on Monday evening, they will have the luxury of being able to field squad players while the seven-times champions – who will be without injured skipper Mo Salah – will need all three points to have a chance of advancing to the knockout stages.
Senegal progress followed a 3-1 success over Cameroon at the Stade Charles Konan Banny in,Yamoussoukro. However, the result belied the performance.
Ismaila Sarr’s 16th minute opener separated the sides at the pause. And Senegal doubled the advantage against the run of play with Sarr sliding a ball from the right wing into the Cameroon penalty area. Habib Diallo ran on to the pass and sidefooted home past Andre Onana.
But Cameroon refused to yield. Jean-Charles Castelletto halved the deficit with seven minutes remaining and their greater urgency ate at Senegal who were unable to impose their calm on the endgame nor pose an attacking threat.
Chance
Frank Magri’s should have levelled as the clock moved into stoppage but his header thudded just to the right of Edouard Mendy’s goal.
Sadio Mané sealed the victory soon after with a slick finish from just inside the penalty area.
Only Guinea can wrestle Senegal from first place. But they have to beat Gambia on Friday night and then overcome Senegal in their final Group C match on 23 January in Yamoussoukro.
Cameroon have to beat Gambia on the same night to entertain chances of moving to the second phase as one of the best third-placed teams.
