The 17th edition of the U-20 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) has come to an end in Egypt but left us with amazing memorable moments; some to be cherished for long while others to be forgotten quickly.
Indeed, it was an eventful tournament from the opening game until the last game which saw the Senegalese Cubs of Teranga crowned champions of the U-20 AFCON for the very first time.
In this article, we present six remarkable events of the just concluded U-20 African Cup of Nations.
Why not join us as we explore these memorable and stunning moments.
The four-time champions failed to make it into the knockout stages following their poor outing.
First-Time Finalists – The Scorpions of Gambia who stunned the Flying Eagles of Nigeria to reach a first-ever U-20 AFCON final have reached the semi-finals on two occasions prior to the 2023 edition but ended their campaign as bronze medalists in 2001, and at the last edition in Mauritania.
Though they were left in despair after their loss against Senegal in the final, their performances at the just concluded tournament are an indication of greater things coming the way of the West African country.
Scored a total of ten goals, won five of six matches, draw none, and conceded no goal until the final match against their neighbors, indeed the Gambia are becoming a force to reckon with in African male football.
New Champions Emerge – This year’s edition produced new winners, the young Teranga Lions of Senegal who have reached the finals three times before the 2023 edition.
In 2015 Senegal finished 2nd behind the flying Eagles of Nigeria, in 2017 the Lions of Teranga ended up as runners again losing to Zambia and in 2019 they were beaten to the u-20 trophy by Mali.
Senegal have now joined nine other countries that have won the tournament since its inception in 1979.
Senegal’s victory; a confirmation of the West African country’s dominance of African male football.
No male football team in Africa has had it so so good as the Senegalese in the past two-three years.
The Teranga Lions have won all the major titles back-to-back within the space of two years.
They are the current Champions of the prestigious African Cup of Nations at the senior or national team level, winners of the Home-based African Championship, CHAN, which was hosted by Algeria earlier this year. Senegal claim their fourth consecutive CAF Beach soccer AFCON title in Mozambique in 2022 after they ended as runners at the 2022 COSAFA Beach soccer.
We can confirm to you that at club levels, Senegal is doing very great too.
It is indeed the Senegalese season as far as African Football is concerned.
The young Lions of Teranga also dominated the individual awards with Lamine Camara awarded Most Valuable Player Of The Tournament, Pape Demba Diop scooping the Golden Boot award whilst the Senegalese custodian, Landing Badji was named the best goalkeeper of the tournament.
New Tournament Records | Six Victories, Six Clean Sheets
Both the Scorpions of Gambia and the young Teranga Lions of Senegal conceded no goals until the final when Gambia were beaten 2-0 by Senegal.
Senegal went from the preliminary stage to the quarter-finals, the semis as well as the final; scored a total of 14 goals and conceded none. That’s a stunning record to beat, and it also shows how compact and formidable the Senegalese have been.
West African countries emerge winners, first, and second runners up
The Wests certainly dominated the 17th edition of the U-20 AFCON. Apart from Gambia and Senegal who closed their campaign as champions and first runners-up, Nigeria who records seven-time winners, run riot against Tunisia, trashing them 4 nil to claim the bronze medal. Hence, we have Senegal, Gambia, and Nigeria all from the west scooping all the accolades.
And that wraps us up the six key remarkable events of Egypt 2023 U-20 AFCON.
Certainly! It was an amazing tournament we had in Egypt and we look forward to the eighteenth edition in two years’ time.
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