Senegal reach quarter-finals with 2-0 win over Zimbabwe

FRANCEVILLE, Gabon ( Reuters) - Senegal qualified for the African Nations Cup quarter-finals by beating Zimbabwe 2-0 with early goals from Sadio Mane and Henri Saivet in their Group B encounter on Thursday.

They became the first team to reach the last eight after clinching top spot with a second straight win, having beaten Tunisia 2-0 on Sunday, and are tournament favourites.

Mane, the continent's most expensive player after his 35 million pounds ($43.15 million) move to Premier League club Liverpool last year, scored after nine minutes with a back post tap-in after Senegal had missed three good chances.

A stunning curling free kick from Saivet four minutes later effectively wrapped up the points and first place in the group.

($1 = 0.8112 pounds)

(Reporting by Mark Gleeson in Libreville; Editing by Ken Ferris)