Defending champions Senegal were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by a determined Central African Republic side in their opening Group C match at the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations on Friday evening.
The young Teranga Lions, tipped as strong favourites to retain their title, took control of proceedings from the onset but were unable to make their dominance count in the first half, despite several clear-cut opportunities.
The breakthrough eventually came in the 49th minute when Cheikh Thiam rose above the defenders to nod home a precise cross from Yaya Diémé, sending the Senegalese fans into celebration and giving their side a deserved lead.
However, complacency crept into the champions’ game, and they paid the price in the 74th minute. Substitute Diogène Pengazonia latched onto a clever pass from Jores Mbaïgoto and calmly slotted the ball past the Senegalese goalkeeper to draw CAR level.
Senegal pressed forward in search of a winner, with Thiam coming close again with a glancing header that narrowly missed the target before he was substituted late in the game.
The match featured a series of physical battles and tactical fouls, resulting in four yellow cards, including one issued to CAR’s Abdias Yangba in the dying moments of regulation time.
Despite Senegal’s superior possession and shot attempts, the Central African Republic showcased impressive discipline and resilience, earning a valuable point against their more illustrious opponents.
The result leaves Group C wide open, with Senegal set to face regional rivals Ghana in their next fixture, while CAR will be buoyed by their performance as they prepare to take on DR Congo on Monday.
