Defending champions Senegal kept their title hopes alive with a vital 2-0 victory over DR Congo in their final Group C match at the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Suez on Thursday.
Goals from Cheikh Thiam and Ibrahima Dieng earned the Young Teranga Lions the three points they needed to progress to the quarter-finals. They finish second in the group on goal difference, edging out DR Congo after both teams ended with four points.
With Ghana defeating the Central African Republic 1-0 in the simultaneous group fixture, only a win would be enough for Senegal to advance. Coming into the match with just one point from two games, the defending champions showed urgency from the start.
Senegal were awarded a penalty in the 9th minute after Clayton Diandy was fouled in the box. Thiam’s initial effort was saved, but he reacted quickest to slot in the rebound two minutes later and give Senegal a deserved lead.
DR Congo created chances in response, with Messy Manitu and Frédéric Ngoyala both testing Senegal goalkeeper Babacar Ndiaye. However, poor finishing let them down throughout the match.
Senegal sealed the result in the 81st minute when VAR awarded a second penalty after a handball by Dieu Kalonji. Dieng stepped up and confidently buried the spot-kick to ensure Senegal’s place in the last eight.
Senegal finish second in Group C behind Ghana (7 points) and will now face the winners of Group D in the quarter-finals. DR Congo, despite a promising start to the tournament, bow out due to their inability to keep a clean sheet in any of their three group matches.
Senegal, aiming to become the first team since Nigeria in 2005 to successfully defend the U20 AFCON title, will hope this win sparks a strong knockout run.
