The Young Teranga Lions of Senegal on Saturday at the Cairo International Stadium, Egypt, defeated their Gambia counterparts 2-0 to lift their first-ever Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy.
Goals from forward Sulaymane Faye and midfielder Mamadou Camara were all the team needed to secure Senegal victory over their Gambian neighbours.
The Senegalese side zoomed into Saturday’s final with a 100 percent record, winning all their matches without conceding a goal.
The Young Teranga Lions were playing their fourth Under-20 AFCON final, having finished runners-up in 2015, 2017 and 2019.
Malick Daf’s tutored side have followed in the footsteps of the senior Teranga Lions, the Beach Soccer national team and the home-based national team in winning continental glory over the last year.
The Young Teranga Lions started better at the Cairo International Stadium with their direct approach causing the Young Scorpions problems at the back.
The Young Teranga Lions broke the deadlock after six minutes through Sulaymane Faye’s header from a cross down the right channel.
The Gambian defence failed to deal with Pape Diallo’s cross which allowed Faye to head into an unguarded goal.
The Young Scorpions came from the break seeking to get back into the match but were unable to break the defence of the Senegalese.
Senegal doubled their lead 10 minutes after the restart through midfielder Mamadou Camara who guided home a corner to beat the helpless Pa Ebou Dampha.
The Young Teranga Lions dominated possession in the opening exchanges of the second period with Lamine Camara and Mamadou Camara pulling the strings for Malick Daf’s side.
The Gambia coach Abdoulie Bojang made a double substitution bringing in Mansour Mbye and Muhamed Sawaneh for Bailo Bah and Modou Marong and the change added more firepower to the ineffective Young Scorpions attack.
Senegal captain Samba Diallo twice came close to extending their lead and substitute Mouhamed Gueye even hit the Young Scorpions’ post with a ferocious effort in stoppage time.
The Senegalese held unto their goals which eventually saw them through to their first-ever title at this category.
It would be recalled that the Flying Eagles thrashed The Young Carthage of Tunisia 4-0 to win the third place match.
The four semi-finalists are to represent Africa at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup scheduled to hold in Indonesia between May 20 and June 11.
Goals from forward Sulaymane Faye and midfielder Mamadou Camara in the Egyptian capital of Cairo were enough to secure Senegal victory over their arch-rivals.
The West African side qualified to Saturday’s final with a hundred percent record winning all their matches without conceding a goal.
The Young Teranga Lions were playing their fourth TotalEnergies U-20 AFCON final having finished runners-up in 2015, 2017 and 2019.
Malick Daf’s side have followed in the footsteps of the senior Teranga Lions, the Beach Soccer national team and the home-based national team in winning continental glory over the last year.
The Young Teranga Lions started better at the Cairo International Stadium with their direct approach causing the Young Scorpions problems at the back.
The Young Teranga Lions broke the deadlock after six minutes through Sulaymane Faye’s header from a cross down the right channel.
The Gambian defense failed to deal with Pape Diallo’s cross which allowed Faye to head into an unguarded goal.
The Young weathered the early setback to keep possession with Alieu Gibba and Mahmud Bajo
Lamine Camara fired a shot from distance which Pa Ebou Dampha parried towards the inrushing Sulaymane Faye who failed to score on 28 minutes.
Mamadou Camara of Senegal Alieu Gibba of Gambia during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final match between Senegal and Gambia held at Cairo Inter
Pa Ebou Dampha made himself big in front of the CF Talavera forward who couldn’t add to his tally.
The Young Scorpions came from the break seeking to get back into the match but were too strong in defense for the Young Scorpions.
Senegal doubled their lead ten minutes after the restart through RS Berkane midfielder Mamadou Camara. The towering Mamadou Camara guided home a corner to beat the helpless Pa Ebou Dampha.
The Young Teranga Lions dominated possession in the opening exchanges of the second period with Lamine Camara and Mamadou Camara pulling the strings for Malick Daf’s side.
The Gambia coach Abdoulie Bojang made a double substitution bringing in Mansour Mbye and Muhamed Sawaneh for Bailo Bah and Modou Marong.
Samba Diallo of Senegal receive a trophy from Patrice Motsepe President of the Confederation of African Football during the 2023 Africa Cup of N
The change added more firepower to the ineffective Young Scorpions attack. Mbye played in Kajally Drammeh on the left side of the Gambian to free Cape Town winger whose delivery into the area was cleared for a corner.
Senegal captain Samba Diallo twice came close to extending their lead against their neighbours. The Dinamo Kiev youngster saw his half volley agonizingly miss the target before blocking Alagie Saine’s clearance towards the Gambian goal.
Substitute Mouhamed Gueye hit the Young Scorpions post with a ferocious effort in stoppage time. The US Goree midfielder was played in just outside the Gambian box to strike against the woodwork.
The WAFU-A champions held on to secure their first ever TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
Senegal goalkeeper Landing Badji was named the Best Goalkeeper of the TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2023.
Meanwhile, the Young Teranga Lions won their first-ever TotalEnergies U-20 AFCON following their 2-0 victory over neighbours The Gambia at the Cairo International Stadium.
The young keeper helped his side to continental glory by keeping six clean sheets in the process. The towering shot stopper was also named the Best Goalkeeper of the group stage of the 23rd edition of the biennial tournament.
The 19-year-old is already considered in Senegal as one of the best in his position.
The AS Pikine ace is also part of the Senegal U-23 national team and he will be hoping to continue his sterling performance for Demba Mbaye’s team in the TotalEnergies U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
A very agile and commanding goalkeeper, Badji is also technically good with the ball. His ability to play from the back has earned him an assist in the Senegalese Professional League for AS Pikine.
Last November, he was in Belgium for trials at FC Brugge and the TotalEnergies U-20 FC will undoubtedly offer him greater exposure as scouts from leading clubs around the world followed the tournament with keen interest.
Badji is certainly the reason why his club AS Pikine have the best defense in the Senegalese Ligue 1.
