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CAF
13 hours ago
- Sport
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON: Senegal Team Profile
Published: Monday, 09 June 2025 How the team qualified The Lionesses of Teranga booked their place at the finals by defeating Egypt in the second round of qualifiers. They secured a convincing 4–0 victory in the first leg in Thiès, followed by a goalless draw in Cairo to confirm their ticket to the final tournament in Morocco. TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON history This will be Senegal's third appearance at the TotalEnergies CAF Women's AFCON finals, following 2012 and 2022 participations. In the most recent edition, held in Morocco, the Lionesses reached the quarterfinals before being knocked out by Zambia in a penalty shootout (4–2). Players to watch Ndeye Awa Diakhaté: A forward for Olympique de Marseille, she scored Senegal's first ever goal in a TotalEnergies CAF Women's AFCON final stage during the 2022 tournament. Quick, skilful, and with excellent positioning, she is a constant threat to opposing defences. Her experience in France has helped elevate her game, making her one of the key attacking assets for the Lionesses. Korka Fall: At 35, she plays for SM Caen and captained the team during the 2023 WAFU tournament, which the Lionesses won. A solid presence in midfield, she brings stability, physicality, and leadership. Her vision and ability to dictate play make her a crucial figure in Senegal's setup. The Head Coach Mame Moussa Cissé guided the Lionesses to the quarterfinals of the 2022 edition and now aims for further progress. A meticulous tactician, he focuses on squad stability, the development of young talent, and improved attacking efficiency to take the team to the next level. Ambitions and Group Analysis Senegal have been drawn in Group A, alongside hosts Morocco, 2022 bronze medallists Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It's a competitive group where every match promises to be tightly contested. Building on their encouraging 2022 campaign, the Lionesses of Teranga enter this edition with high ambitions. The coaching staff has set a clear objective: to reach at least the semi-finals. They will rely on the experience of veterans like Korka Fall and the attacking prowess of players like Diakhaté. Against strong opposition, Senegal will need to show discipline, unity, and tactical intelligence to establish themselves as serious contenders in the tournament.
CAF
04-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
MATCH FACTS: West African derby as Senegal face Ghana at TotalEnergies CAF U20 AFCON
Defending champions Senegal face fellow West African rivals Ghana in what will be only their second-ever meeting at the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations at Suez Stadium on Monday (kick-off 21:00 local time; 18:00 GMT). Their previous encounter came during the 2019 edition, where Senegal secured a 2-0 victory in the group stage thanks to a first-half brace from Youssouph Badji. Ghana have only once before faced defending champions at the tournament, beating Egypt in the 1993 semi-finals. Senegal have a strong record against fellow WAFU (West African) teams, having played 12 matches with a record of eight wins, two draws, and two losses. Both defeats came against Nigeria in 2015 – once in the group stage (3-1) and again in the final (1-0). They are unbeaten in open play in their last eight matches against West African opposition, with seven wins and one draw – the latter a penalty shootout loss to Mali in the 2019 final. Ghana, meanwhile, have faced West African rivals 26 times, recording 11 wins, three draws, and 12 losses. Their recent form against WAFU teams has been less consistent, with just one win in their last four such matches – a semi-final victory over Gambia in 2021. They lost the other three. SENEGAL FACTS · Senegal began their title defence with a 1-1 draw against the Central African Republic. It marked the fourth time they have drawn their opening match at the finals, having also done so in 1993, 1995, and 2017. · Their record in second group matches is strong: six played, three wins, two draws, and just one loss – back in 1993, when they were beaten 3-1 by Ethiopia. Since then, they are unbeaten in second group matches across five tournaments. They drew with Burundi (1-1) in 1995 and Côte d'Ivoire (2-2) in 2015, and have won their last three second group games: 4-3 against South Africa in 2017, 2-0 against Ghana in 2019, and 3-0 against Mozambique in 2023. Notably, they have scored in every second group game they've played. · A failure to win this match would mark the fourth time Senegal have gone winless in their first two group games. Previous instances occurred in 1993, 1995, and 2015. · Senegal are unbeaten in their last 12 group stage matches (W9 D3), with their most recent group-stage defeat being a 3-1 loss to Nigeria in 2015. · They have also scored in each of their last 15 group games – their last goalless group game was a 0-0 draw with Cameroon in 1995. · Across all finals matches, Senegal are unbeaten in open play in their last 13 games (W11 D2). Their last defeat in regulation time was in the 2017 final against Zambia. · In their draw with CAR, Ousmane Konate had the most touches (90) and completed the most passes (60) of any player on the pitch. Falliou Diouf was fouled six times, more than any other player in the game. GHANA FACTS · Ghana opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo. After conceding in the 16th minute, Musibau Aziz equalized in the 24th. · This draw ended a run of three consecutive tournament openers that Ghana had won - in 2015, 2019, and 2021. · They have now won just one of their last six group matches at the finals – a 4-0 victory over Tanzania in their 2021 opener (D2 L3). Additionally, Ghana have failed to win their last three group matches against West African sides: a 2-1 loss to Gambia in 2021, and back-to-back defeats in 2019 to Senegal (2-0) and Mali (1-0). · Historically, Ghana have fared well in their second group matches in the modern tournament format (since 1991), with a record of seven wins, three draws, and two losses in 12 such games. However, they have failed to win their second game at each of their last two tournament appearances – drawing 0-0 with Morocco in 2021 and losing 2-0 to Senegal in 2019. · Ghana's biggest second group game win remains their 5-0 triumph over Angola in 1999. Their only defeats in second group matches came in 1993 (vs Cameroon) and 2019 (vs Senegal). · A failure to win here would mark the first time since 2011 that Ghana have failed to register a victory in their first two group games. In that year, they lost 2-1 to Nigeria before drawing 1-1 with Gambia. In every subsequent tournament – 2013, 2015, 2019, and 2021 – they have won at least one of their opening two matches. · Against DRC, Ghana managed only two shots on target – both by goal scorer Aziz. Aaron Essel attempted 73 passes and completed 57 (78.1% accuracy), leading the team in both categories.
CAF
26-04-2025
- Sport
- CAF
MATCH FACTS: Zambia take on debutants Sierra Leone in Group A opener at TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations
Zambia will face debutants Sierra Leone in their opening Group A game of the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt 2025 at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia on Sunday (kick-off 18:00 local time / 16:00 GMT). The 2017 champions Zambia are facing a tournament debutant for only the second time after South Africa in the 1997 group stages, a game they lost 2-1. Since 1991, when the tournament took on its current guise, this will be Zambia's 21st meeting with a West African nation. Their record reads P20 W4 D6 L10. Three of Zambia's four wins against WAFU member nations came on home soil in the 2017 finals when they defeated Guinea 1-0 and Mali 6-1 in the group stages, and then defeated Senegal 2-0 in the final. Zambia's only other win since 1991 against a west African team was a 6-2 group stage success against Guinea in 1999. Their biggest win against a WAFU member nation was that 6-1 triumph over Mali in the 2017 group stages. ZAMBIA FACTS · Zambia first featured in the Under-20 continental competition in 1985 and this is their 11th qualification. · They were winners on home soil in 2017, defeating Senegal in the final. They have been semi-finalists three other times, in 1991, 1999 and 2007. · Aside from their 2017 win, they have ended fourth in 1991, 1999 and 2007. · Zambia exited the tournament winless in their last appearance in 2023 (D1 L2). · Zambia failed to win their opening game at their last appearance in 2023, drawing 1-1 against Benin. In 2017 they defeated Guinea first up on their way to the title, while prior to that in 2015 and 2007 they lost to Mali 1-0 and Nigeria 4-2. · Since 1991, Zambia have won their opening game twice, in 1999 and 2017 against Malawi 1-0 and Guinea also 1-0 (D3 L3). · In their last nine group games spanning their last three tournament appearances, Zambia's record reads P9 W3 D1 L5. All three wins came in 2017 on home soil. They lost all three group games in 2015 and lost two in 2023 while drawing the other. · Zambia have conceded a goal in each of their last five group games at the finals. They last kept a clean sheet in a group game in their opening game in 2017 against Guinea in a 1-0. · Their clean-sheet against Guinea in their opening group game in 2017 is their only one at the group stages in their last nine group games. · Zambia qualified for the finals by ending as runners up to South Africa at the 2024 COSAFA U20 Championships. They lost 2-0 in the final. SIERRA LEONE FACTS · Sierra Leone are one of two debutants at the current finals and will become the 43rd team to feature at the finals. · They become the 14th WAFU member nation, only two other members, Cabo Verde and Guinea Bissau, have not qualified for the finals. · They came through the WAFU A qualifying tournament, which was hosted in September 2024 in Liberia as runners-up in the final to Senegal. · In the qualifiers they drew 0-0 against Guinea then defeated Liberia 3-1 and Guinea Bissau 1-0 in the group stages, before a 3-0 win over Gambia in the semi-finals. They lost to Senegal in the final. · Momoh Kamara was their top scorer in the qualifiers with three goals.
CAF
31-03-2025
- Sport
- CAF
MATCH FACTS: Senegal open TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations title defence against Gambia
Defending champions Senegal get their TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Morocco 2025 campaign under way with a Group C clash against Gambia at the Ben M'Hamed El Abdi Stadium in El Jadida on Tuesday (kick-off 14:00 local time / GMT). This is the first meeting between neighbours and rivals Senegal and Gambia at the TotalEnergies CAF U17 AFCON. Both teams have won this title previously. Senegal are the defending champions while Gambia are two times champions having won in 2005 at home and in 2009, when Algeria were hosts. Senegal are winless in open play against West African rivals at the finals. They have played Burkina Faso twice at the group stages, firstly in 2011, a game they lost 3-2. They did defeat Burkina Faso on penalties in the 2023 semi-finals after the game ended 1-1. They also lost 2-1 to Guinea in the group stages in 2019. Gambia are meeting a West African nation for the ninth time at the finals. Their record against fellow WAFU rivals at the finals reads P8 W4 D0 L4. Senegal will become the eighth different West African team that Gambia will face at the finals they have only faced Ghana more than once, meeting them at the group stages ant the final in 2005. All of Gambia's wins against West African teams have been single goal victories. Three have been 1-0 wins, against Burkina Faso in the group stages in 2005 and Ghana in the 2005 Finals. They defeated Guinea 1-0 in their opening game in 2009. They have only scored more than one goal against a West African rival in their 3-2 win over Mali in the 2005 group stages. Of Gambia's four losses to West African nations, three have been 1-0 defeats against Nigeria, Ghana and Mali in the 2003, 2005 and 2011 group stages. Their biggest defeat was a 4-1 loss against Cote d' Ivoire in the 2011 group stages. Gambia have only previously faced the defending champions once before as they lost in their second group game when making their tournament debut in 2003 to Nigeria in a 1-0 defeat. These two sides met in the qualification tournament in WAFU A. Senegal won 3-1 but both teams progressed from a group which also contained Liberia. SENEGAL FACTS · Senegal will be looking to become the second defending champion after Mali to successfully retain their title. Mali won back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2017. · Senegal have reached their fourth TotalEnergies CAF U17 AFCON tournament. They first qualified for Rwanda 2011 and then returned in 2019 for the tournament hosted by Tanzania. Senegal have reached three successive tournaments for the first time. · Senegal had never previously won their opening game at the tournament until they won their opening game enroute to winning the title 2-0 against Congo in 2023. In 2011 they lost 2-1 to Egypt, while in 2019 they drew 1-1 with Morocco. · Senegal had been eliminated in the group stages in 2011 and 2019 before lifting the title in 2023. In 2011 they began with successive losses against Egypt and Burkina Faso went out despite a win against hosts Rwanda in their final group game. · In their second appearance at the tournament in 2019, Senegal started with a 1-1 draw against Morocco and then lost to Guinea 2-1 and drew 0-0 with Cameroon in their final game. · At the last finals in 2023, Senegal went through the group stages with a 100% record for the first time, defeating Congo 1-0, and hosts Algeria and Somalia both 3-0. Senegal did not concede a goal in their first four games as they won their quarter-final clash against South Africa 5-0. They claimed a penalty shoot-out win over Burkina Faso in the semi-final that ended 1-1. They claimed a 2-1 win over Morocco in the final. · Senegal are currently on a run of seven games at the finals without a loss, starting with their 0-0 draw against Cameroon in their final group game in 2019 (W6 D1). · The record of the defending champions at the finals when they have qualified for the next tournament reads P6 W2 D2 L2. · Two defending champions, Ghana with a 4-1 win over Ethiopia in 1997 and Nigeria with a 1-0 win over Cameroon in 2003, have begun with wins, while Gambia in 2011 started with a 3-0 loss to Congo and Cameroon lost 2-0 against Mali in 2023. Twice previously has the defending champion drawn their first game as Cote d'Ivoire came from two goals down to draw 2-2 against South Africa in 2015 and Mali drew 0-0 with Tanzania in 2017. · Former Senegal Under-15 coach Pape Ibrahima Faye has replaced Serigne Saliou Dia as their coach. Dia has taken over as coach of the Senegal U20 national team. GAMBIA FACTS · Gambia are featuring at their fifth finals. They have twice previously been winners in 2005 and 2009, while they were eliminated at the group stages in 2003 and 2011. · Gambia are one of five nations along with Cameroon, Ghana, Mali and Nigeria to have won multiple titles. All have two wins. · Gambia's record in their opening game at their four previous finals appearances reads P4 W3 D0 L1. · Gambia have won their opening games previously in 2003, 2005 and 2009, all 1-0 wins over Ethiopia, Burkina Faso and Guinea. Gambia have lost their opening game just one in 2011 a 3-0 loss to Congo. · When winning the title in 2005, Gambia went through the tournament winning four of their five games (L1). All of their wins were outright victories without needing penalties. · When winning their second title in 2009, Gambia won all three of their group games and went through their first four games without conceding a goal. The first goal they conceded was in their 3-1 win over Algeria in final. · When claiming the title in 2009, all five of Gambia's games were won in open play they scored 12 goals and conceded just one. · Ebrima Bojang top scored for Gambia at the 2009 finals, the most goals scored by a Gambian player in a single edition. · Gambia's biggest win at the finals is a 4-0 triumph over Malawi in the 2009 Semi-finals.
