Senegal and Mali have secured their places in the semi-finals of the ongoing UFOA A Women’s Tournament, following dominant group-stage performances that showcased their growing strength in regional women’s football.
Competing in Mauritania, the tournament brings together national teams from West Africa’s UFOA A zone. With the group phase now concluded, the final four teams left in contention are Senegal, Mali, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.
Senegal emerged as Group A winners after an impressive campaign that saw them collect seven points from three matches. The Lionesses opened with a 2-1 victory over Guinea before dismantling Gambia with a resounding 6-0 win.
A 1-1 draw with Sierra Leone in their final group match proved enough to maintain top spot. Senegal’s performances have been marked by clinical finishing and a disciplined defensive approach, positioning them as serious contenders for the title.
Sierra Leone claimed the second qualifying spot in Group A. Despite failing to beat Senegal, their overall performance, including a crucial win against Guinea, was sufficient to see them through. Guinea and Gambia, unable to keep pace with the top two, exited the tournament at the group stage.
Group B was dominated by Mali, who were clinical in both attack and defence. The Eaglets played just two matches but left no doubt about their credentials, scoring nine goals and conceding only once.
Their commanding displays ensured they finished at the top of their group and moved into the semi-finals with confidence.
Joining Mali from Group B is Liberia, who secured the second semi-final spot. Though less dominant than the Malians, Liberia did enough to advance and will now look to upset the odds as they face a formidable Senegal side in the knockout stage.
The semi-final fixtures are now set. Senegal will take on Liberia, while Mali will meet Sierra Leone in what promises to be two competitive and high-stakes encounters.
For Senegal, the tournament is serving as crucial preparation ahead of the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) scheduled to take place in Morocco this July.
The experience gained in Mauritania is seen as vital for building momentum ahead of continental competition.
Mali, on the other hand, have been one of the standout teams in the group stage and will be aiming to translate their early form into a deep run in the tournament.
With their attacking prowess and disciplined backline, they head into the semi-finals as favourites against Sierra Leone.
The UFOA A Women’s Tournament, while regional in scope, has provided a competitive platform for participating nations to assess their squads and develop team cohesion.
As women’s football continues to grow across Africa, events like this are playing a significant role in nurturing talent and increasing the visibility of the women’s game.
With the semi-finals now approaching, all eyes turn to the four remaining teams as they vie for a place in the final and the opportunity to claim regional supremacy in Mauritania.
