U-20 AFCON qualifier: Senegal 3-1 Ghana

Senegal took a bold step towards a place at next year’s U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Zambia after a 3-1 win over Ghana in the first leg of the final round of the qualifiers on Saturday at the Demba Diop Stadium, Dakar.

‘Les Lionceaux’ thus takes a commanding lead into the second leg in a fortnight in Ghana, where the ticket for the finals will be decided. It leaves the Black Satellites, Africa and World champions seven years ago, in danger of missing out on the continental championship for the first time since 2009.

Ibrahima Niane was the hero for the Senegalese netting a hat-trick which takes his side to the brink of a ticket to Zambia.

Generation Foot forward, Niane scored the opener on 11 minutes from a well-taken free-kick that Ghana goalie Kwame Baah had no answers to.

The Satellites replied on 22 minutes courtesy Jonah Osabutey from a Kingsley Fobi assist before dead ball specialist Niane restored his side’s lead three minutes later.

Upon resumption, substitute Aliou Badji squared Niane to complete his hat-trick on 59 minutes and take the game beyond the visiting Ghanaians.

Seven teams will emerge from the qualifiers to join host Zambia for the final tournament of the 20th edition of U-20 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for February 26 to March 12, 2017. 

Reactions

Joseph Koto (Head Coach, Senegal)

"It's a good result but nothing is done in the direction of qualification. We will start the second leg as if it was 0-0 in the first leg. It is a welcome serenity for what the players showed throughout the game. They did not panic despite the quality of the opponent known for its strength in youth football. We will go to Ghana and look for a positive result. With the team we have, we fear no one". 

Mas-Ud Dramani (Head Coach, Ghana)

We played a tight game and both teams had their chances. The difference is that our opponent converted their chances. Nevertheless, we scored a goal that will have its weight in gold in the second leg. The party is far from lost. We know more about the opponent and the preparation and approach will not be the same. When we arrived in Dakar, we had only scraps of information about their strengths and weaknesses. Now this is no longer the case and we will see another match in the return leg.