Senegal miss out on CAN U20 as Guinea and Gambia secure final places

Senegal will not compete at the CAN U20 finals in Ghana after Guinea completed a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory in the West Africa A (UFOA A) qualifying semi-finals on Sunday.

The Lionceaux de la Teranga appeared to be in control at the Stade Mamadou Konate in Bamako, Mali, after taking a two-goal lead. But Guinea’s Syli Junior fought back to force extra time before scoring the decisive goal.

Moussa Gueye of Merida AD had put Senegal ahead with goals in first-half stoppage time and the 70th minute. Guinea responded with two goals in seven minutes, in the 72nd and 79th minutes, to level the match.

The decisive moment came in the 112th minute, when Guinea completed the turnaround and ended Senegal’s hopes of reaching the finals. The result means Malick Daf’s side will miss out on the tournament for the first time in two editions.

Senegal’s previous failure to qualify came in 2020. Guinea, meanwhile, will return to the competition after a 10-year absence, having last qualified in 2016.

Earlier on Sunday, Gambia booked its place at the finals with a 2-0 victory over Sierra Leone.

Guinea and Gambia join the 10 other teams already qualified for the CAN U20 finals. Morocco and Egypt secured qualification through North Africa (UNAF), while Ghana and Burkina Faso came through West Africa B (UFOA B).

Sudan and Tanzania will represent East Africa (CECAFA), with South Africa and Mozambique qualifying from Southern Africa (COSAFA). Cameroon and the Central African Republic complete the list of teams from Central Africa (UNIFFAC).

The official dates for the CAN U20 finals had not been announced at the time of writing.