Senegal continued their dominance in African national team competitions on Saturday by claiming another trophy with a 2-0 victory over neighbors Gambia in the final of the 2023 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations. Souleymane Faye and Mamadou Camara gave Les Lionceaux a goal in each half to confirm their first ever title at the under-20 level. Senegal end their participation in Egypt without conceding a single goal in six matches while both teams will represent Africa at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia later this year.
Neither finalist allowed a goal in all their matches prior to Saturday’s showdown but the Senegalese attack appeared more formidable and the Lion Cubs came out with more attacking intent. It did not take long for Senegal’s attacking mentality to be rewarded when they struck in the 6th minute through Faye, who rose above the Gambian defense and goalkeeper Pa Ebou Dampha to head in an Amidou Diop cross from the right flank.
Dampha was called into action twenty minutes later when Lamine Camara’s long range shot was spilled by the goalkeeper into the path of Faye but Dampha did well to recover and close down the angle to make another save. Gambia attempted to push forward for a leveler but the Young Scorpions failed to put a shot on goal during the first half.
Senegal put themselves beyond reach early in the second half by doubling their lead in the 56th minute. Lamine Camara sent a corner kick beyond the far post to find Faye who headed the ball back across the goal to find Mamadou Camara who sent his header past a sprawling Dampha. Gambia continued to struggle against the formidable Senegalese defense, who once again denied the Young Scorpions a shot on goal in the second half to confirm their status as deserved champions when the full time whistle blew.
Highlights from Saturday’s final are below.
