Dakar, Senegal – (African Boulevard News) – Senegal’s youth football team made history by qualifying for the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time ever, thanks to their convincing 3-0 win over hosts Algeria at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers.
Senegal’s youngsters once again displayed their impressive skills and tactical prowess in their third Group B game on Wednesday. The match started off with both teams trying to gain the upper hand, but it was the young Senegalese who seized control of the game early on with some slick passing, excellent ball control and swift movements.
Their efforts paid off in the 17th minute when midfielder Samba Diallo scored from close range after some great work by striker Abdoulaye Ba. The goal gave Senegal a huge boost in confidence and they continued to dominate the rest of the first half, with Ba and Salif Lahiouel playing intricate passes and dribbling past the Algerian defenders with ease.
In the second half, Algeria tried to come back into the game, but it was Senegal who struck again in the 60th minute, as Ba scored a stunning goal from outside the box to double his team’s lead. The goal was a testament to Ba’s skill and intelligence, as he found the top corner with a perfectly executed shot.
Senegal then sealed their win in the 66th minute, when Ousseynou Diagne put the ball in the back of the net following a defensive error by Algeria. The Senegalese were deserved winners in the end, having dominated the game from start to finish.
Senegal’s coach, Malick Daf, expressed his delight at the team’s qualification to the quarter-finals, saying: “It was a great performance from the boys. They played with confidence and determination, and they fully deserved the victory. We have achieved an important milestone in the history of Senegalese football, and we hope to continue this positive momentum in the next round.”
Senegal’s win sees them top Group B with seven points, ahead of Guinea and Morocco, who are also through to the quarter-finals. Algeria, on the other hand, failed to progress to the next stage of the tournament, finishing fourth in the group with just one point.
The quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies U17 AFCON are set to take place on April 2 and 3, with Senegal facing Group C runners-up, either Cameroon or Uganda.
In summary, Senegal’s impressive display against Algeria saw them secure their place in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies U17 AFCON, and the team is now looking forward to continuing their journey in the tournament. Their style of play and their success so far have made the team one to watch.
