Defending champions Senegal kept their title hopes alive with a tough 2-0 win over DR Congo in their last Group C match at the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Suez on Thursday.
Cheikh Thiam and Ibrahima Dieng scored the goals that helped Senegal advance to the quarter-finals as runners-up, finishing ahead of DR Congo on goal difference.
In another match, Ghana’s 1-0 win over the Central African Republic meant Senegal needed a win to progress, as they had only one point from their first two games.
Starting the match with urgency, Senegal earned a penalty in the 9th minute when Clayton Diandy was fouled in the box. Thiam’s penalty was saved, but he quickly scored from the rebound in the 11th minute, giving Senegal an early lead.
DR Congo put up a strong fight, with Messy Manitu and Frédéric Ngoyala forcing saves from Senegal’s Babacar Ndiaye in the second half. However, they struggled to find the net.
In the 81st minute, Senegal was awarded a second penalty after Dieu Kalonji’s handball, which Dieng converted for the win.
With this victory, Senegal finished second in Group C with four points, behind Ghana’s seven, and will face the Group D winners in the quarter-finals.
DR Congo had earlier victories against the Central African Republic and a draw with Ghana but couldn’t maintain clean sheets, costing them crucial points. Senegal aims to become the first team since Nigeria in 2005 to win the U20 AFCON title again.
