U20 World Cup: All-African Third-Place Play-Off as Mali and Senegal Exit at Semi-Final Stage
By BBC Sport Africa
The 2015 FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand will feature an all-African third-place play-off as Mali and Senegal both fell short in their respective semi-final matches.
Mali were narrowly beaten 2-1 in extra time by Serbia, while Senegal suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat at the hands of five-time champions Brazil, ending their historic run in their debut appearance at the tournament.
Despite the disappointment, Senegal coach Joseph Koto remained gracious in defeat, praising Brazil for their dominant performance.
“I really want to congratulate Brazil for their victory. They showed more desire and commitment—the best team won today,” Koto said.
“Football has good days and bad days, and this was a bad day for Senegal. But our goal was to get out of the group stage, and we did that. It’s a great adventure and a success considering it’s our first participation in this tournament.”
Koto also highlighted the lack of experience in his young squad as a key factor in their semi-final defeat, but expressed pride in how far they had come on the global stage.
Mali, meanwhile, put up a strong fight against Serbia, equalising after falling behind early, only to be undone by a goal in extra time. Both African sides showed resilience and quality throughout the tournament, earning global respect with their spirited performances.
The two teams will now face off in the third-place play-off, a fitting clash between continental neighbours who have flown the African flag with distinction throughout the competition. The match offers both sides a chance to finish on a high note and make further history in what has already been a breakthrough tournament for African youth football.
