Senegal will miss the CAN U20 finals in Ghana after Guinea overturned a two-goal deficit to win 3-2 in extra time in the West Zone A (UFOA A) qualifying semi-final on Sunday.
The Lionceaux de la Teranga appeared to be on course for victory at the Mamadou Konate Stadium in Bamako, Mali, after Moussa Gueye of Merida AD scored twice.
Gueye struck in first-half stoppage time at 45+3 minutes and added a second in the 70th minute. The Syli Junior responded with two goals in seven minutes, scoring in the 72nd and 79th minutes to force extra time.
Guinea then completed the turnaround in the 112th minute, ending Malick Daf’s side’s hopes of reaching the finals.
It is the first time in two editions that Senegal have failed to qualify for the tournament. The Gaindes last missed out in 2020.
For Guinea, the result secures a return to the competition after a 10-year absence. Their previous qualification came in 2016.
Gambia had earlier secured the other remaining place at the finals with a 2-0 win over Sierra Leone.
The two teams join the 10 nations that had already qualified through the other regional competitions: Morocco and Egypt from North Africa (UNAF); Ghana and Burkina Faso from West Africa B (UFOA B); Sudan and Tanzania from East Africa (CECAFA); South Africa and Mozambique from Southern Africa (COSAFA); and Cameroon and Central African Republic from Central Africa (UNIFFAC).
The official dates for the CAN U20 finals have not yet been announced.