Senegal’s U17 side was left frustrated after a goalless draw against Tunisia in their second group match at the 2025 U17 Africa Cup of Nations, with several missed chances and a resolute Tunisian defence, led by standout goalkeeper Slim Bouaskar, denying them victory.
Despite dominating large stretches of the match, Pape Ibrahima Faye’s squad lacked the cutting edge in front of goal.
Midfielder Ousseynou Ndiaye emerged as the team’s standout performer, but his efforts weren’t enough to breach a compact Tunisian backline.
Vincent Gomis – 5/10
The Senegal goalkeeper had little to do for the full 90 minutes.
With Tunisia rarely venturing forward, Gomis remained alert, calmly dealing with the occasional back pass and maintaining composure throughout.
Alpha Mbengue – 6/10
A solid shift from the right-back, who maintained defensive discipline and offered support in attack.
He delivered a pinpoint cross to Mbodji in the second half but was let down by the forward’s poor finish.
Ibrahima Aidara – 6/10
The vice-captain was aggressive and alert, winning key challenges and distributing the ball effectively.
Aidara’s leadership was evident in a generally solid defensive display.
Cheikh Dieng – 5.5/10
Dieng endured an uneven outing. While he held his position well, moments of hesitation—particularly a strong back pass and a misjudged clearance—revealed a lack of composure under pressure.
Lamine Mbengue – 5.5/10
The left-back offered attacking support with clever runs and won the free-kick that nearly resulted in a goal.
However, his forward movements occasionally left gaps behind.
Ibrahima Sory Sow – 6/10
Senegal’s captain once again impressed with his control and distribution.
His free-kick hit the post in the second half, and another effort was heroically saved by Bouaskar.
Sow’s vision and set-piece precision stood out.
Ousseynou Ndiaye – 7/10
A tireless engine in midfield, Ndiaye anchored the Senegalese play.
He recovered possession regularly and played a crucial pass to set up Barhama Ndiaye’s first-half chance.
A commanding presence in both attack and defence.
El Hadji Sow – 6/10
Improving from his previous performance, Sow was energetic and resourceful.
He created chances and almost broke the deadlock in stoppage time with a powerful shot that was blocked.
Sidy Barhama Ndiaye – 3.5/10
Despite a lively start, Ndiaye’s impact diminished as the match wore on.
He squandered a golden opportunity in the 25th minute and misfired again minutes later, failing to punish the Tunisian defence.
Abdourahmane Mbodji – 3.5/10
Another forward who struggled to deliver. Though active early on, Mbodji’s most notable moment was a missed strike from a pinpoint cross.
Replaced in the second half without making a significant impact.
Mouhamed Wagne – 3/10
Wagne showed occasional flashes of pace and movement but lacked conviction in the final third.
His link-up play was inconsistent, and he rarely threatened Tunisia’s goal.
As the Lionceaux prepare for their final group fixture, the pressure is mounting on the attack to convert dominance into results.
While the midfield and defence continue to provide a stable platform, Senegal’s title hopes may hinge on finding their scoring touch.
