Sierra Leone will compete in their first-ever final of the UFOA A U20 tournament this Saturday, September 28, as they face off against Senegal in a match that will determine qualification for the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The encounter is set to take place at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia, Liberia, with Senegal aiming to secure their third title in the competition. Earlier in the day, Gambia and Guinea will battle for third place.
Senegal, the defending champions, have shown their dominance throughout the tournament.
After a commanding 2-0 victory over Mali in the group stages, they played out a thrilling 2-2 draw against Gambia in a highly anticipated derby, cementing their place at the top of Group B.
In the semi-finals, they continued their impressive form with a decisive 2-0 win against Guinea, securing their spot in the final. Senegal’s young team, led by coach Serigne Saliou Dia, are determined to add another trophy to their growing collection.
Sierra Leone, on the other hand, have been one of the tournament’s surprise packages.
The Leone Stars stunned many with their commanding performance in the semi-finals, where they defeated Gambia 3-0, preventing the Scorpions from securing a historic third qualification for the U20 AFCON.
With that victory, Sierra Leone has earned their place in the final and the chance to win their first UFOA A U20 title.
Senegal’s coach, Serigne Saliou Dia, is confident in his team’s ability to defend their title and continue their run of success.
“Our first objective is to defend our title as UFOA A champions, then to qualify for the U20 AFCON,” said Dia.
“This is a key step to allow our young players to continue to progress on the international stage.”
With a history of success in the tournament, Senegal will be looking to secure back-to-back championships after their 2022 victory in Nouakchott, Mauritania.
Sierra Leone, however, are determined to spoil Senegal’s hopes and claim their own slice of history.
The Leone Stars have been building momentum throughout the competition, and their resounding semi-final victory over Gambia has given them a surge of confidence heading into the final.
The match promises to be a tightly contested affair as both teams vie for the prestigious title and a place in the U20 AFCON.
In the earlier match, Gambia and Guinea will face off for third place at 13:00 GMT, also at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium.
Gambia, winners of the tournament in 2018 and 2020, will be eager to finish on a high after a disappointing semi-final loss.
Guinea, who finished fourth in the 2020 edition, will be hoping to improve on their previous performance and secure a place on the podium this time around.
The final between Sierra Leone and Senegal will kick off at 16:00 GMT, with both teams looking to make history in Monrovia.
