Senegal U15 progressed to the semi-finals of the African School Cup after finishing top of Group B, despite being held to a 1-1 draw by Zambia in their final group match.
The Young Lions went into the encounter with confidence following victories over Benin and Tanzania, and they looked on course to end the group stage with a perfect record after taking an early lead.
Aliou Fall put Senegal ahead in the 11th minute, capping a bright start in which the West African side controlled possession and dictated the tempo.
However, while Senegal created several opportunities after the restart, they were unable to convert their dominance into a second goal.
That wastefulness ultimately proved costly, as Zambia struck late to level the score just two minutes from time, denying Senegal a third consecutive win.
Despite the late setback, Senegal’s earlier results ensured they remained at the top of Group B, securing qualification to the semi-finals. They will now face either Morocco or Uganda, who are still battling for first place in Group A.
Senegal’s campaign had begun with a narrow 1-0 victory over Benin, before an entertaining 3-2 win against Tanzania further strengthened their position in the group.
That second match highlighted both the attacking quality and resilience within the squad.
After Tanzania equalised just before half-time in that earlier encounter, Senegal responded with renewed intensity in the second half.
Winger Kader played a key role, using his pace and creativity to unlock the defence before setting up Cheikh Omar Sy, who scored his second goal of the tournament to restore the lead.
Head coach Ousmane Diop then turned to his bench in a bid to maintain control, making tactical substitutions that proved decisive.
One of those changes saw attacking midfielder Pierre make an immediate impact, scoring with a powerful strike shortly after coming on.
Although Tanzania pulled one back late from the penalty spot, Senegal held firm to secure a 3-2 victory, completing a strong start to the competition with two wins from two matches at that stage.
Across the group phase, Senegal demonstrated a blend of attacking intent and tactical discipline, qualities that will be crucial as the tournament progresses.
However, the draw against Zambia also highlighted an area for improvement, particularly in front of goal, where missed chances nearly proved costly.
As the Young Lions prepare for the semi-finals, they carry both momentum and lessons from the group stage. Their ability to respond under pressure and maintain composure will be tested further against stronger opposition.
For now, finishing top of Group B represents a significant achievement and reinforces Senegal’s growing reputation in youth football across the continent.
