AFCON U-20: Senegal Qualify for 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup

Senegal U-20 national football, the Young Lions of Teranga, have become the first African team to qualify for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup that will be held in Poland from May 25 to June 16, 2019.

The youthful Senegalese team’s qualification comes as a result of their second successive victory in Group B of the ongoing Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in Niger, thus securing their spot in the semi-finals ahead of their final group match.

According to the rules of the tournament, the top four teams of the tournament will qualify to represent the continent at the world level.

After kick-starting the competition with a comfortable 2-0 win against Mali on February 3, the Young Lions of Teranga, under the guidance of Head coach Youssouph Dabo, continued their winning streak with another 2-0 victory against Ghana on Wednesday, February 6, 2019, at the Stade de Maradi.

Youssouph Mamadou Badji was the hero of the day after driving home a brace scored in the 11^th and 12^th minutes respectively. The 17-year-old forward was named “Total Man of the Match” for his outstanding performance in the team’s triumph. Senegal are now top of Group B with six points and will take on ‘underperformers’ Burkina Faso in their final game on Saturday, February 9, 2019.

Senegal have now joined 16 other countries that have already qualified for the 22nd edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Host nation Poland, Ukraine, France, Italy, Norway, and Portugal will represent Europe, USA, Mexico, Panama, and Honduras will represent North, Central America and the Caribbean.

Asia will be represented by Japan, Korea Republic, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, while Oceania will be represented by New Zealand and Tahiti. South America will be represented by Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, and Venezuela.

Africa’s next three representatives will be determined after match-day three of the ongoing AFCON U-20 competition.