However the strength in depth in the Senegal squad proved too much for Guinea in the end, as Cheikhou Kouyate and Ismaila Sarr – of Crystal Palace and Watford respectively – scored after 68 and 79 minutes to secure the victory.
Senegal will now face Burkina Faso in the semi-final on Wednesday, 2 Feb. The other last-four tie is hosts Cameroon vs Egypt.
Meanwhile there was no such joy for Christian Pulisic and the USA national side, who were defeated 2-0 by Canada in a World Cup qualfiier in Ontario.
The Chelsea star featured on the left of a front three for USA but could do nothing to prevent the Canadians taking the three points – and the bragging rights – in this North America clash, thanks to goals in each half from Cyle Larin and Sam Adekugbe.