Senegal beat 10-man Benin 1-0 on Wednesday at the Cairo International Stadium in Cairo to progress to the semi-finals of the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations.

Everton midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye scored the only goal of the match in the 69th minute.

Senegal dominated the first half with 70% possession but had nothing to show for it with the Lions of Teranga failing to register any of their five shots on goal on target. Benin, meanwhile, had threatened on rare counter-attacks, particularly through set-pieces.

Senegal broke the deadlock in the 69th minute when Gueye and Sadio Mane exchanged passes from midfield to just outside the penalty box allowing Gueye to fire a shot past Benin goalkeeper Saturnin Allagbe.

Senegal had the ball in the back of the net five minutes when Mane latched onto a through ball and rounded Allagbe to score. However, the goal was disallowed after a check by the Video Assistant Referee ruled that Mane was offside.

Benin were reduced to 10 men six minutes from time after defender Olivier Verdon brought down Gueye just outside the penalty box as he was bearing down on Benin’s goal following more excellent interplay with Mane.

Mbaye Diagne’s resulting free-kick did not trouble Allagbe, who made an easy save.

Senegal, who remain on course for their first-ever AFCON title, will play the winner of Tunisia and Madagascar in the semi-finals.