Senegal’s quest for a maiden title at the youth level was finally over after they got the better of neighbours Gambia 2-0 in the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations final on Saturday.
The Young Teranga Lions have been beaten finalists on three separate occasions: 2015 (as hosts), 2017 and 2019, but they were however not going to be denied at the 2023 edition in Egypt, where their intent was clear from their first match against the Flying Eagles of Nigeria in the group phase down to their 3-0 semi-final victory over Tunisia.
In Saturday’s final at the 75000-capacity Cairo International Stadium, Malick Daf’s men got things off in the sixth minute when Amidou Diop’s cross found Soulaymane Faye who sent a powerful header in.
It became 2-0 in the 56th minute, with Faye turning provider this time for Mamadou Camara to also head home from close range.
The Gambia had more of the possession throughout the game but failed to muster a single shot on target which the Senegalese took to their advantage by testing Young Scorpions goalkeeper Pa Ebou Dampha, forcing him to make three brilliant saves.
The victory and clean sheet meant Senegal ended the tournament with a 100% record, the most goals (14), and failed to concede a goal all through.
SENEGAL DOMINATION CONTINUES! ????
The Teranga Cubs are the #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 champions for the first-time ever! ???? @Fsfofficielle pic.twitter.com/GqmWeCRWZs
— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 (@CAF_Online) March 11, 2023
It also continues the West African nation’s trend of being the recipient of the most recent CAF-sanctioned competitions, which began with the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations last year in Cameroon, where they were victorious over Egypt, followed by the 2022 Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations, with victory over the Pharaohs again in Mozambique, and then the 2022 African Nations Championship, where the home-based selected side defeated hosts Algeria on penalties in Algiers last month.
Senegal’s next quest for African glory will be at 2023 Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria which holds from April 29 to May 19.
