Senegal are through to the semi finals of the TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations and also seal their place at the U20 World Cup after a 1-0 win against Benin.

Samba Diallo’s second goal was all that Malick Daf’s Teranga Cubs needed on Thursday at Cairo International Stadium to defeat the Cheetahs.

Lamine Camara’s excellent free kick was met by Diallo’s goal to advance the West Africans to the World Cup semifinals.

At the Cairo International Stadium, the Young Teranga got off to a better start as Lamine Camara and Djibril Diop controlled the midfield.

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Senegal was only permitted limited access to the territories covered by Bachirou Attivi and Morile Dossou-Dognon due to the Cheetahs’ effective defense.

Olatoundji Tessilimi was left unable to score after Landing Badji, the group’s Best Goalkeeper, was unable to stop a long ball into the Senegal box.

Against the well-prepared Senegal team, who entered the game with an amazing record scoring eight goals without surrendering, Benin continued to play on the break.

Five minutes before halftime, Senegal’s captain Samba Diallo had the greatest chance of the opening period when his low shot from Sulaymane Faye’s selfless cutback narrowly missed the goal with the goalkeeper pinned to the ground.

The WAFU-A winners Senegal entered the Cheetahs’ half more aggressively and purposefully in the second half.

Six minutes into the second half, Senegal’s captain Samba Diallo’s leaping header from a skillfully executed set piece gave the team the lead.

Senegal earned a goal by turning in Lamine Camara’s free kick at the far post, beating the defenseless Rahman Karim.

After Sulaymane Faye’s shrewd pass, Diallo could have extended Senegal’s advantage on the 67th minute when he shot straight into the woodwork.

As Karim failed to clear a long ball that Faye caught deep in the Benin half, the youthful player was able to square the ball to the captain Diallo, who was unable to convert it into an empty goal.

Teranga Cubs continued to dominate the game, and late on, Pape Diallo nearly scored on a half-volley, but Karim was in the perfect spot to save it.

Senegal hung on to qualify to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia, while Benin’s substitute Stephane Vignigbe flicked a header wide with time running out for Benin.