Dakar, Senegal – (African Boulevard News) – The TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicked off in style as Senegal clashed with Congo in the opening game of the tournament. However, the face of the game was changed dramatically with the missed penalty from Congo, said head coach Fabrizio Cesana.
The game started with high energy as both teams displayed their skills and prowess. Congo had the chance to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty, but failed to convert it. Cesana, the Congo coach, confirmed that the missed penalty had a significant impact on the game, as his side lost their momentum.
Cesana said, “It’s tough when you miss a penalty early in the game, especially when you are playing against one of the tournament’s favourites. It affected our game plan, and we were unable to recover from it. It was a great opportunity for us, and we could not take it.”
Although Congo tried to keep the game alive, Senegal continued to dominate and scored two goals to seal the victory. Senegal’s coach Malick Daf praised his team’s performance and hopes that they will carry the same momentum throughout the tournament.
“We knew the importance of the first game, and the team delivered a fantastic performance. The team spirit is very high, and we hope to continue the momentum throughout the tournament,” said Daf.
The tournament, which is taking place in Morocco, features eight teams including Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Algeria, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, and Congo. The tournament serves as a qualification for the Under-17 World Cup, with the top four teams qualifying for the global tournament set to take place in Peru later this year.
In conclusion, the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations has started with a bang, leaving fans and pundits alike excited for what’s to come. The missed penalty in the opening match may prove to be a turning point for Congo, while Senegal will look to build on their great start. The tournament promises to be an exciting one, with the best young talents from Africa battling it out for glory.
