Senegal U20 boss Daf eyes early quarter-final spot

The Young Teranga Lions coach Malick Daf says his team will be focused on qualifying to the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations when they play Mozambique on Wednesday.

The three-time finalists are at the summit of Group A following their hard fought 1-0 victory over seven-time champions Nigeria at the Cairo International Stadium in their opening match on Sunday.

A win in Wednesday’s game will secure their place in the last 16 which will keep them on the path of emulating others national teams in their country following recent successes.

Sulaymane Faye secured Senegal the important victory over Nigeria as they seek to follow in the footsteps of the Beach Soccer national team, the senior Teranga Lions and the local national team in winning a continental title.

“We will strive to win and qualify early to relieve the pressure on us and rest some of the players,” the former U-17 boss said.

“We are preparing for all the teams with full focus and full strength,”

“The victory in the first match against Nigeria will only increase their concentration and strength.”

The Senegalese team has in their ranks some members of their successful TotalEnergies African Nations Championship team.

RS Berkane midfielder Mamadou Lamine Camara says the WAFU-A champions are not in Egypt as tourists.

“We are not here for tourism, we are here for competition,” Camara said.

A win against the Young Os Mambas will qualify Senegal to the last eight of the tournament with a game to spare.