Defending champions Senegal defeated DR Congo 2-0 in their final Group C encounter at the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Suez on Thursday, securing their title defence.

Ibrahima Dieng and Cheikh Thiam scored goals in a pivotal victory that saw the Young Teranga Lions advance as runners-up and defeat DR Congo on goal differential to the quarterfinals.

With only one point from their first two games going into the contest, Senegal needed to win the group encounter after Ghana defeated Central African Republic 1-0.

Read Also:AFCON U-20: Nigeria Flying Eagles Cruise To Quarterfinals After Draw With Kenya

After Clayton Diandy was taken down in the box in the ninth minute, Senegal scored a penalty after getting off to a fast start.

Thiam’s spot-kick was saved, but he quickly made amends by scoring the rebound in the eleventh minute to give the winners the lead.

Messy Manitu and Frédéric Ngoyala both forced saves from Senegal goalie Babacar Ndiaye in the second half as DR Congo responded admirably.

However, the Congolese were wasteful in front of goal despite their offensive intensity, and their dreams were finally crushed in the closing minutes.

Dieu Kalonji handled in the area in the 81st minute, and VAR gave Senegal a second penalty. Dieng took the initiative and scored a powerful three-pointer.

Senegal will now play Group D winners Senegal in the quarterfinals after finishing second in Group C with four points, behind leaders Ghana (7).

The Congolese, who had triumphed against the Central African Republic and drawn with Ghana earlier in the group round, put up a strong show.

However, their inability to maintain a clean sheet during the competition turned out to be costly.

In the meantime, Senegal is determined to keep going and will try to build on this significant victory in order to become the first team since Nigeria (2005) to win the U20 AFCON championship again.