Senegal’s U-20 national team will be in action today when the FIFA U-20 World Cup kicks off in Poland.
Senegal are in Group A alongside hosts Poland, Colombia and Tahiti who they face today in the tournament’s opening match. Poland and Colombia face off later.
“We’re up against Tahiti first,” commented Senegal coach Youssouph Dabo.
“We don’t know anything about them and there’s always a surprise or two against teams like them. As for Colombia, they’re tournament regulars and the Poles are playing at home, so they’ll be full of confidence. It’s a tough group but you expect that because we’re talking about a World Cup and the matches will be very keenly contested. We’ll have our chances and it’s up to us to take them.”
Dabo will be relying on Amadou Dia N’Diaye and Youssouph Badji to convert those chances. Both of them shared the top scorer award at the African qualifying competition with three goals each.
He’ll also be relying on 16-year-old Moussa N’Diaye who was named best player at the same tournament.
Senegal reached the semi-finals at New Zealand 2015 and eventually finished fourth after losing to fellow African side Mali in the match for third place. And in the Korea Republic two years later, the Lions of Teranga lost to Mexico in the Round of 16.
The Young Lions of Teranga qualified as runners up at the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, their third consecutive second place finish.
