Senegal booked their place in the final of the AFCON U20 2025 qualifiers after a hard-fought 2-0 win over Guinea in the semi-final of the UFOA A tournament on Wednesday. The defending champions advanced to the final after a dramatic late display at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia, Liberia.
The first half of the match was an even contest, with both sides battling to break the deadlock.
Senegal dominated possession but struggled to convert their chances, while Guinea, defensively well-organized, managed to frustrate their opponents throughout the opening 45 minutes.
Despite Senegal’s pressure, the half ended in a stalemate, with neither team able to find a way through, leaving the score locked at 0-0.
As the match progressed, Senegal’s determination began to show, and the breakthrough finally came in the dying minutes.
In the 88th minute, Serigne Fallou Diouf stepped up to convert a crucial penalty after a Guinea defender was penalized for a handball inside the box.
The goal gave Senegal the edge they had been searching for and sparked celebrations among the Lionceaux faithful.
Guinea, desperate to equalize, threw men forward in the closing moments, but Senegal capitalized on the space left at the back. In the 90+3 minute, Cheikh Tidiane Thiam sealed the victory with a clinical finish on a swift counter-attack, making it 2-0 and confirming Senegal’s place in the final.
With this win, Senegal’s U20 team, the reigning champions, will now face Sierra Leone in the tournament’s final.
Sierra Leone secured their spot after a 3-0 victory over Gambia in the other semi-final.
Senegal will be aiming to defend their title and further assert their dominance in African youth football, having shown resilience and composure in their quest to lift the trophy once again.
Guinea, on the other hand, will have to regroup and focus on the third-place playoff.
Despite their elimination from the final, the Syli National Junior team still has a chance to finish the tournament on a positive note when they face Gambia on Saturday, September 28.
Guinea will be hoping to secure the bronze medal to make amends for their semi-final loss.
Senegal’s performance in the semi-final underscores their ambitions of retaining the title and qualifying for the AFCON U20 2025 with momentum.
Their upcoming clash with Sierra Leone promises to be a gripping encounter as both sides aim for continental glory.
