The Gambia have been crowned WAFU A U-17 champions after beating hosts Senegal 5-3 on penalties following a goalless draw in Sunday’s final in Dakar.
The Baby Scorpions held firm against sustained Senegal pressure at the Leopold Sédar Senghor Stadium before prevailing in the shootout to deny the Young Lions a third zonal title.
Cheikh Thior’s missed penalty proved decisive as Gambia converted all five of their spot-kicks, with Senegal goalkeeper Assane Sarr unable to produce the save his side needed.
The victory completed an impressive campaign for Gambia, who once again demonstrated their defensive resilience against a Senegal side that finished the tournament without conceding a goal in regulation time.
Both finalists had already secured qualification for the next U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with Guinea taking the third WAFU A ticket after beating Liberia 2-0 earlier on Sunday.
Senegal entered the final seeking to make home advantage count and created several opportunities, but were repeatedly frustrated by a well-organised Gambian defence.
Cheikh Oumar Sy, Daouda Fofana Fall and Kader Ndour were among those who attempted to find a breakthrough, but Gambia’s defensive block remained intact.
The hosts’ task became more difficult late in the contest when Mahamet Ba was sent off in the 88th minute, leaving Senegal to finish with 10 players.
Despite the dismissal, Gambia was unable to find a winner before the end of regulation time and the title was decided from the penalty spot.
Senegal goalkeeper Sarr was unable to repeat the decisive interventions that had helped his team during the tournament, while Thior’s miss opened the door for the Baby Scorpions.
Gambia took full advantage, winning the shootout 5-3 to claim the regional crown on Senegalese soil.
The defeat was particularly painful for Senegal given their defensive record throughout the competition.
The Young Lions completed the tournament without conceding a goal in normal time, but Gambia also managed to keep Senegal scoreless when the sides met earlier in the competition.
That defensive discipline proved crucial again in the final as the Baby Scorpions resisted Senegal’s attacking pressure before settling the contest on penalties.
While Senegal missed out on the trophy, their qualification for the U17 Africa Cup of Nations provides consolation as they prepare to defend their continental status in Morocco.
Guinea will join Senegal and Gambia at the continental tournament after defeating Liberia 2-0 in the third-place play-off.
Boubacar Diallo was the hero for Guinea, scoring twice in the second half.
He broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute before adding his second 13 minutes later to secure victory and the final qualification berth available from the WAFU A tournament.
The result means Gambia, Senegal and Guinea will represent the WAFU A zone at the next U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
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