African Youth Championship hosts Senegal received a confidence boost ahead of their continental campaign after recording two back-to-back wins over South Africa and Zambia in warm-up friendlies.
They defeated ââ¬ËAmajitaââ¬â¢ 1-0 at the Diambars Institute last Saturday, thanks to a lone goal from Ibrahima Wadji just before the break, before sealing a victory by the same scoreline over the young Chipolopolo at the Léopold Sédar Senghor Stadium on Tuesday, with a second-half winner from Alassane Diouf.
For their third appearance at the junior tournament, the Senegalese will be looking for a last four achievement and a qualification for the U-20 FIFA World Cup New-Zealand 2015, after finishing 8th in 1993 and 6th in 1995.
National coach Joseph Koto called-up a 21-man list including 9 foreign-based players for the show-piece event.
ââ¬ÅWe travelled inside and outside the country and have set up the best possible squad,â⬠Koto confirmed at a press conference.
Senegal will kick off the 19th edition of the African Youth Championship against Nigeria at the Léopold Sédar Senghor Stadium in Dakar on Sunday, before facing Côte dââ¬â¢Ivoire on March 11 and Congo on March 14 in their other Group A encounters.
SENEGAL U-20 SQUAD FOR 2015 AFRICAN YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP
Goalkeepers: Lamine Ba (Dakar Sacré Cà “ur), Ibrahima Sy (Lorient, France), Seydou Sy (Monaco, France)
Defenders: Alassane Sylla (Diambars), Moussa Wagué (Aspire), Racine Coly (Brescia, Italy), Elimane Cissé (Diambars), Pape Abdou Cissé (Ajaccio, France), Andali Nou Corréa (Dakar Sacré Cà “ur), Mohamed Sané (Dijon, France).
Midfielders: Roger Gomis (Louhans Cuiseaux, France), Sidy Sarr (Mbour Petite Côte), Mamadou Loum Ndiaye (US Ouakam), Alassane Sow (Saragosse, Spain), Soro Mbaye (Sedan, France).
Forwards: El hadj Malick Niang (US Gorée), Alassane Diouf (Darou Salam), Moussa Koné (Dakar Sacré Cà “ur), Ibrahima Wadji (Mbour Petite Côte), Omar Goudiaby (Guédiawaye FC), Sékou Goudiaby (Real Vallecano, Spain)