Mali were crowned the 2019 Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations champions after beating Senegal 3-2 on penalties after both teams had played out to 1-1 at regular time.
This is Aiglons first U-20 AFCON title, while the Young Lions of Teranga were searching for their maiden continental championship crown, having been in the final on three occasions.
Senegal, who enjoyed more possession in the opening stages of the game, applied pressure on the Aiglons defence in search of an early goal.
It was Mali though who broke the deadlock in the 16th minute when Baubocar Traore pulled the trigger from close range and his effort sailed into the back of the net.
Sekou Keita nearly made it 2-0 to the Aiglons ten minutes later, but this time Senegal goalkeeper Dialy Ndiaye was alert as he produced a great low save to deny the attacker.
Eight minutes before the halftime break, Senegal forward Mamadou Badji nearly netted an equalizer with a good shot from range, but his effort went inches wide of Youssouf’s net.
In the second stanza, Hadji Drame showed his slick movements in the Senegalese half two minutes later when he combined with El Bilal but could only hit the side netting.
Kanote Fode’s thunderous shot from outside the Bafana box hit the crossbar eight minutes after the restart with Ndiye rooted to the ground.
Senegal’s head coach Youssouph Dabo decided to make the first change of the game introducing Ousseynou Niang and Amadou Ndiaye to adding more tact to the attacking front.
It took only ten minutes for Niang to make a huge impact as the diminutive striker delivered a cross which was turned towards goal by Ndiaye, scoring with a stylish volley to make it 1-1 to Senegal.
The two sides canceled each other in the remaining minutes and the extra time to force the much talked about final to penalties.
Senegal’s Dion Lopy, Amadou Ndiaye and Ousseynou Niang were the unfortunate players to miss spot-kicks, giving Mali their first Under-20 continental title.
Coming into the Sunday’s finale, Senegal had won all four of the matches they had played in Niger.
On Saturday, South Africa beat Nigeria 5-3 on penalties to take third place at the tournament after the match ended 0-0.
