In a thrilling conclusion to Group C of the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations, defending champions Senegal secured their place in the quarterfinals with a decisive 2-0 victory over DR Congo at the Suez Canal Stadium on Thursday. The Young Teranga Lions, needing a win to advance, showcased their resilience and determination, with goals from Ibrahima Dieng and Cheikh Thiam propelling them into the knockout stage.
Senegal's journey to this crucial win was fraught with pressure. Having garnered only one point from their first two matches, the stakes were high, especially after Ghana's earlier victory over Central African Republic (1-0) put them in a strong position at the top of the group. The Young Teranga Lions knew they had to secure all three points to keep their title defense alive.
Senegal started the match with intensity, and their early efforts paid off in the ninth minute when Clayton Diandy was brought down in the penalty area. Thiam stepped up to take the spot-kick but saw his initial shot saved. However, he quickly reacted, scoring the rebound just two minutes later to give Senegal a crucial lead.
DR Congo responded well, creating several opportunities to equalize. Messy Manitu and Frédéric Ngoyala both tested Senegal's goalkeeper Babacar Ndiaye, who was forced into action with several key saves. Despite their offensive efforts, the Congolese side struggled to find the back of the net, ultimately proving costly in the closing stages of the match.
As the game drew to a close, Senegal sealed their victory in the 81st minute when VAR intervened to award them a second penalty after Dieu Kalonji was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area. Dieng confidently took the penalty, striking a powerful shot past the goalkeeper to double Senegal's lead.
With this victory, Senegal finished second in Group C with four points, just behind Ghana, who topped the group with seven points. The Congolese team, despite their strong showing in the tournament, finished with four points as well but were edged out by Senegal on goal differential. They had previously secured a win against Central African Republic and managed a draw with Ghana, but their inability to maintain a clean sheet ultimately cost them.
Ghana's U-20 national team also advanced to the quarterfinals, having claimed a narrow 1-0 victory against Central African Republic in their final group match. The Black Satellites, under head coach Desmond Ofei, demonstrated grit and determination, overcoming a challenging match to secure their spot in the knockout stage.
Ofei praised his team's performance, noting the importance of patience in their gameplay. “We didn’t rush the game. That was very important. The boys controlled the game, worked the ball well, and stayed patient even when the goal didn’t come early. I’m happy for them as they earned this win,” he said.
Ghana's decisive moment came late in the match when substitute Joseph Opoku found the back of the net in the 84th minute, delivering a stunning finish that secured the victory. The Black Satellites finished the group stage with seven points, having drawn their opener against DR Congo and defeated Senegal in their second match.
As the tournament progresses, both Senegal and Ghana will be eagerly awaiting the results from Groups A and B to determine their opponents in the quarterfinals. Senegal aims to become the first team since Nigeria in 2005 to win the U20 AFCON championship again, while Ghana looks to add another title to their storied history.
With the knockout stage looming, the excitement is palpable. Fans and players alike will be watching closely to see how these two teams build on their recent successes. Senegal's determination to defend their title and Ghana's resilience in overcoming challenges will make for an intriguing quarterfinal round.
